CSIRO Robot Responders

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.

More CSIRO Robot Responders adventures are on the way! Coming soon for National Science Week 2026, explore new Marine and Space missions with additional learning resources and challenges inspired by real-world science and engineering.

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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.

Community guide

Community guide - accessible version

CSIRO Robot Responders online game

Design, build and test virtual robots in an interactive online game, solving real-world STEM challenges inspired by authentic CSIRO science and engineering.

Robot responder in an underwater and rocky environment

Visit the game page to play

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

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. Students apply STEM thinking to explore concepts such as sensing, mobility, navigation and problem-solving while designing robots capable of completing real-world missions.

Designed for Years 5–8, the resource can be used in classrooms, community groups or at home. Flexible activities support a range of learning settings and can be delivered as a complete learning sequence or selected individually to suit available time and learner needs. For an extended learning experience, pair the resource with the CSIRO Robot Responders online game and card game, allowing learners to test their ideas, apply their knowledge and continue exploring robot design through interactive play.

Classroom presentation

Teacher guide

Teacher guide - accessible version

Student workbook

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.

Australian Curriculum Links

Australian Curriculum Links - accessible version

About

CSIRO - Robot Responders

[An image appears of a white screen with heading text above a text box, and text appears: CSIRO, Robot Responders, Our new national science experiment to spark curious minds this National Science Week!]

Voiceover: Join CSIRO Robot Responders, our new national science experiment for National Science Week.

[Image changes to show photos of children with robots cover a map of Australia, then image changes to show robot parts assembling below a pointer making a selection from the camera options above, and text appears: Camera Light, Thermal Camera, Humanoid Head, Stereo Vision, Greyscale Camera]

Young people across Australia can step into the role of a robotics engineer, designing robots to help tackle challenges in environments too dangerous or difficult for humans.

[Image changes to show photos of a range of different robots in circles around a larger circle photo of a male and a young male looking at a robot, and text appears: Robotics Expert]

Guided by CSIRO robotics experts, participants will discover how robotics is used to solve real world problems.

[Image changes to show the assembled robot on the right facing the right and then jumping around to face the left beside a heading text box on the left, and text appears: How to participate in CSIRO Robot Responders]

Getting involved is easy.

[Image shows a new text box appearing below, and then the image changes to show the robot holding a house shaped text box, and text appears: Adults register at- www.csiro.au/RobotResponders, Free activities, -Schools, -Homes, -Communities]

Register at www.csiro.au/RobotResponders and choose from a range of free activities for schools, homes and communities.

[Image changes to show an iPad with heading text on the left, a robot on the right moving left to right above text boxes on the left, as photos move though to show children doing robotics on the right, and text appears: Robot Responders, Free activities, Learning Resources, Mission Scenarios, Student Workbooks, Card Game, Design Challenges, Activity Guides, Online Game, Video Resources]

Educators can access curriculum aligned learning resources, mission scenarios and student workbooks.

[Image continues to show the photos moving through of children doing robotics, as a pointer moves over the text boxes]

Families and community groups can explore hands on design challenges and activity guides.

[Images move through to show a gaming program screen to build a robot using various selections and a power bar across the bottom, views of robots in game mode, and Robot Responders game cards, and text appears: Unplugged Card Game]

Participants can also test their ideas through the CSIRO Robot Responders online game or unplugged card game, tackling missions in caves and lava tubes, marine environments or space.

[Image changes to show three ‘Mission Complete, Superior Design’ cards across the screen featuring a dog robot, a boat and a CSIRO robot]

One challenge.

[Image changes to show a white screen with heading text above a text box, and text appears: CSIRO Robot Responders, One challenge, Three missions. Multiple ways to play]

Three missions. Multiple ways to play. CSIRO Robot Responders.