About
CSIRO Robot Responders is a hands-on STEM learning experience that challenges students to think like engineers as they design robots to solve real-world problems. Through a selection of classroom activities, an interactive online game and an unplugged card game, students explore how robots can help humans complete tasks that are too dangerous, difficult or inaccessible for us. Inspired by real CSIRO science and engineering, students investigate environments including caves, marine ecosystems and space while developing problem-solving, critical thinking and design skills.
Designed for young people in Years 5–8 (approximately ages 10–14), CSIRO Robot Responders is suitable for use in classrooms, community groups and at home. Educators and facilitators can select activities that best suit their setting, whether delivering a structured lesson, a STEM club session or an independent challenge. Flexible digital and non-digital options make it easy to engage learners in meaningful STEM experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration and curiosity.
Community guide
Community guide
The community guide adapts the investigations for community groups, STEM clubs and other informal learning settings. It provides flexible delivery advice, activity timings, materials lists and facilitation guidance to support engaging STEM experiences for young people.
CSIRO Robot Responders online game
CSIRO Robot Responders is an interactive online game where players design, build, test and refine virtual robots to complete missions inspired by authentic CSIRO science and engineering. Through a series of real-world STEM challenges, players explore engineering concepts, make design decisions, and optimise their robots to solve problems in environments that are too dangerous, difficult or inaccessible for humans.
CSIRO Robot Responders printable card game
The CSIRO Robot Responders card game is a hands-on STEM resource that challenges young people to design a robot for a real-world mission. Working individually or in teams, players collect robot component cards, manage a budget, and respond to unexpected engineering challenges as they build a robot capable of completing the mission.
CSIRO Robot Responders card game
CSIRO Robot Responders card game - accessible version
Student and teacher resources
Discover how robots help scientists investigate some of the most challenging environments on Earth and beyond. Through hands-on investigations and engineering design challenges, learn about exploring dark and dangerous caves and lava tubes, protecting fragile marine environments and uncovering the mysteries of space.
Each set of resources includes a PPT classroom presentation, teacher guide, and student workbook to support engaging and inclusive STEM learning in any classroom. Students apply STEM thinking to explore concepts such as sensing, mobility, navigation and problem-solving while designing robots capable of completing real-world missions.
Caves and lava tubes
Caves and lava tubes introduce students to the science and engineering of exploring underground environments using robots. Through a series of engaging investigations and design challenges, learners discover why robots are essential for navigating caves and lava tubes, how scientists map and study these unique landscapes, and how environmental conditions influence robot design.
Teacher guide - accessible version
Student workbook - accessible version
Marine environments
Marine environments introduces students to the science and engineering of exploring and protecting our oceans using robots. Students dive into a series of exciting investigations and design challenges to discover why robots are vital for underwater exploration, how scientists protect marine environments, and how ocean conditions shape robot design.
Teacher guide - accessible version
Student workbook - accessible version
Space
Space introduces students to the science and engineering of exploring space using robots. From exploring the moon to solving real-world engineering challenges, learners investigate how robotic technologies help scientists uncover the mysteries of space and adapt to the unique demands of extraterrestrial environments.
Teacher guide - accessible version
Student workbook - accessible version
Optional - Curriculum links
Australian Curriculum connections
View how the CSIRO Robot Responders resources can be linked to certain learning areas within the Australian Curriculum.
About
CSIRO Robot Responders is a hands-on STEM learning experience that challenges students to think like engineers as they design robots to solve real-world problems. Through a selection of classroom activities, an interactive online game and an unplugged card game, students explore how robots can help humans complete tasks that are too dangerous, difficult or inaccessible for us. Inspired by real CSIRO science and engineering, students investigate environments including caves, marine ecosystems and space while developing problem-solving, critical thinking and design skills.
Designed for young people in Years 5–8 (approximately ages 10–14), CSIRO Robot Responders is suitable for use in classrooms, community groups and at home. Educators and facilitators can select activities that best suit their setting, whether delivering a structured lesson, a STEM club session or an independent challenge. Flexible digital and non-digital options make it easy to engage learners in meaningful STEM experiences that encourage creativity, collaboration and curiosity.
Community guide
Community guide
The community guide adapts the investigations for community groups, STEM clubs and other informal learning settings. It provides flexible delivery advice, activity timings, materials lists and facilitation guidance to support engaging STEM experiences for young people.
CSIRO Robot Responders online game
CSIRO Robot Responders is an interactive online game where players design, build, test and refine virtual robots to complete missions inspired by authentic CSIRO science and engineering. Through a series of real-world STEM challenges, players explore engineering concepts, make design decisions, and optimise their robots to solve problems in environments that are too dangerous, difficult or inaccessible for humans.
CSIRO Robot Responders printable card game
The CSIRO Robot Responders card game is a hands-on STEM resource that challenges young people to design a robot for a real-world mission. Working individually or in teams, players collect robot component cards, manage a budget, and respond to unexpected engineering challenges as they build a robot capable of completing the mission.
CSIRO Robot Responders card game PDF (2 MB)
CSIRO Robot Responders card game - accessible version TXT (6 KB)
Student and teacher resources
Discover how robots help scientists investigate some of the most challenging environments on Earth and beyond. Through hands-on investigations and engineering design challenges, learn about exploring dark and dangerous caves and lava tubes, protecting fragile marine environments and uncovering the mysteries of space.
Each set of resources includes a PPT classroom presentation, teacher guide, and student workbook to support engaging and inclusive STEM learning in any classroom. Students apply STEM thinking to explore concepts such as sensing, mobility, navigation and problem-solving while designing robots capable of completing real-world missions.
Caves and lava tubes
Caves and lava tubes introduce students to the science and engineering of exploring underground environments using robots. Through a series of engaging investigations and design challenges, learners discover why robots are essential for navigating caves and lava tubes, how scientists map and study these unique landscapes, and how environmental conditions influence robot design.
Classroom presentation PPTX (216 MB)
Teacher guide - accessible version TXT (24 KB)
Student workbook - accessible version TXT (29 KB)
Marine environments
Marine environments introduces students to the science and engineering of exploring and protecting our oceans using robots. Students dive into a series of exciting investigations and design challenges to discover why robots are vital for underwater exploration, how scientists protect marine environments, and how ocean conditions shape robot design.
Classroom presentation PPTX (209 MB)
Teacher guide - accessible version TXT (25 KB)
Student workbook - accessible version TXT (30 KB)
Space
Space introduces students to the science and engineering of exploring space using robots. From exploring the moon to solving real-world engineering challenges, learners investigate how robotic technologies help scientists uncover the mysteries of space and adapt to the unique demands of extraterrestrial environments.
Classroom presentation PPTX (178 MB)
Teacher guide - accessible version TXT (27 KB)
Student workbook - accessible version TXT (27 KB)
Optional - Curriculum links
Australian Curriculum connections
View how the CSIRO Robot Responders resources can be linked to certain learning areas within the Australian Curriculum.
Join National Science Week
Register your involvement in CSIRO Robot Responders for a chance to receive a free book pack - and check out our Robot Design competition with fantastic prizes up for grabs (T&Cs apply).