Robotics Workshops 2018 – ESERO Ireland

Secondary school teachers from ESA Member States are invited to apply to ESA’s teacher training workshops to be held in January and February at ESA’s ESEC centre located in Belgium.

Robotics workshop, 25-26 January 2018 Deadline to apply for this workshop is 2 January. During this 2-day workshop, teachers will learn how to use space robotics to explain curricular subjects such as physics and technology and will discover and master new tools and inquiry-based practices for STEM teaching and learning at school.

Two robotics and automation workshops

• Robotics and automation workshop 5-7 February 2018 Deadline to apply is 2 January.
• Robotics and automation workshop 21-23 February 2018 Deadline to apply is 12 January.

During these two identical 2.5-day workshops, teachers will learn how to use space robotics as well as automation (Arduino) to explain curricular subjects such as physics and technology and will discover and master new tools and inquiry-based practices for STEM teaching and learning at school. Do not miss these opportunities … the number of available seats is limited!

What to expect?
The workshop participants will be guided through activities that can be performed in the classroom.

During the Robotics Workshop, teachers will create robots using LEGO Mindstorms tools and use them to perform a ‘mission to Mars’ with specific discovery objectives.  The states of matter, light, computer programming, data collection and analysis, as well as the technology behind telecommunications, are among the subjects that will be investigated.

During the Robotics and Automation Workshops, teachers will spend a day discovering the Arduino tool. Electricity notions, use of sensors, data collection, and computer programming will be investigated during this phase. An automatic watering system will be created by teachers, linking to our new resource ‘Plants on Mars’. Teachers will also create robots using LEGO Mindstorms tools and use them to perform a ‘Mission to Mars’ with specific discovery objectives.  The states of matter, computer programming, data collection and analysis, are among the subjects that will be investigated.

Inspired by real ESA space missions, participants will learn about the different kinds of expertise and skills necessary to make a space project successful, and will be given hints about possible science and technology careers.

Who can apply?

The workshops are open to secondary school teachers of STEM-related subjects residing and working within any ESA Member State or Associate State*.

How and when to apply?
Teachers wishing to participate should fill in the application form.

The deadlines to submit applications are:

• 2 January 2018 for the workshop taking place on 25-26 January 2018. Applicants will be notified by 5 January 2018 on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.
• 2 January 2018 for the workshop taking place from 5 to 7 February 2018. Applicants will be notified by 5 January 2018 on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.
• 12 January 2018 for the workshop taking place from 21 to 23 February 2018. Applicants will be notified by 17 January 2018 on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.

Workshop details
The workshops will take place at ESA’s ESEC centre located in Redu, Belgium. The programme also includes a visit of ESEC and the nearby Euro Space Centre (ESC). Further practical details will be communicated directly to the selected participants. The working language of the workshop will be English. Attendance to the entire workshop is mandatory.

Sponsorship and costs
Selected teachers should arrange their travel from a departure point in an ESA Member or Associate State* to the location of the training course, and back to their original departure point. Travel expenses will be covered up to a maximum of 200 € per teacher. These expenses will be reimbursed to the teacher’s bank account after the event, on the production of valid, original receipts.

For the duration of the workshop, accommodation, catering, and local transportation will be organised, booked, and paid by ESA’s Education Office. Teachers will be sharing hotel rooms.

Teachers are responsible for their own arrangements for passports, visas, and any additional insurance required.

For more information, please contact e-roboticslab @ esa.int