Robotics Programme: Strengthened Digital Learning

During the month, the school-based robotics programme reached a total of 1,439 students across 30 government schools, including 574 boys and 865 girls. A total of 54 sessions were conducted as part of the regular weekly schedule, ensuring consistent engagement in STEM learning and robotics activities. These sessions provided students with structured exposure to programming, bot assembly, dynamic toy-making, and hands-on science concepts.

In addition to the school programme, the Weekend Robotics Club continued to offer an extended learning platform for highly motivated students. The club engaged 52 learners (43 boys and 9 girls) through four intensive sessions, where they explored advanced activities, received additional mentoring, and worked on project ideas beyond the regular curriculum. This combined outreach reflects the programme’s growing impact and its role in strengthening students’ interest, confidence, and competency in robotics and STEM education.

Topics Covered: Maze Solver, Face Filter, Virtual Doctor, Object Detection, Attendance Monitoring System, Chatbot, Balloon-Powered Car, Kinetic Vehicle, Newton’s Colour Disc, Robot Assembly, Forward & Reverse Movement Control

Student Learning Activities

Level 1 Activities

Students engaged in foundational robotics and STEM concepts, including:

• Balloon-powered car

• Kinetic vehicle

• Hydraulic lift

• Newton’s colour disc

• Scratch-based modules such as Maze Solver, Face Filter, and Virtual Doctor

These activities focused on introducing basic mechanics, motion, force, sensors, and simple visual programming.

Level 2 Activities

Level 2 learners practiced advanced programming and bot-control modules, covering:

• Bot assembly

• Forward, reverse, and left-turn movement control

• Object Detection

• Attendance Monitoring System

• Chatbot development

• Laptop-based PictoBlox modules for computational thinking

Students successfully completed all assigned activities for the month, demonstrating progress in coding logic, problem-solving, and robotic manipulation.

Rain Gauge Installation, Servicing & Field Technology Work

As part of the broader STEM and environmental monitoring initiatives:

• Field visits were conducted to Sedarapet Government School, Aranganur, and Sandaipudukuppam Government School to discuss and obtain permission from the respective Heads of Institution for upcoming rain gauge installations.

• The purpose and educational value of the rain gauge system were explained, emphasising its role in climate literacy and school-based hydrological learning.

• Servicing and battery maintenance of existing rain gauge units were carried out at Aurovanam.

• Casing installation was completed for the water pump controller.

• Acknowledgements for installations were collected and documentation submitted with authorised signatures.

STEM Weekend Sessions

Two STEM sessions and two Robotics sessions were supervised as part of the weekend programme. Students explored toy-based science models and hands-on robotics builds, enhancing experiential learning.

Preparation for the December Science Exhibition

A team meeting was held to plan for the upcoming December Science Exhibition.

• Responsibilities were assigned for component servicing,

• Preparation of kits for school sessions, and

• Coordination with student participants.

In all schools, discussions were held with principals and interested students, and contact details of participants were collected.

Additionally, students shared various local problems faced in their villages, which were documented for potential future STEM problem-solving projects.

Research & Development Initiatives

Continued R&D work was carried out on:

• Borewell IoT system

• Rain gauge improvements

These efforts contribute to long-term plans for school-based environmental monitoring and community water data systems.

Feedback

• Students: Showed strong interest in practical robotics activities and laptop-based modules; highly enthusiastic about dynamic toy-building sessions and playway learning.

• Teachers: Reported that students eagerly look forward to robotics classes—often more than their regular subjects—and are more actively engaged during these sessions.