Robotics and Automation Workshops

Secondary school teachers from ESA Member and Associate States are invited to apply to robotics and automation workshops to be given at ESA’s ESEC centre located in Belgium.

Four robotics and automation workshops for secondary school teachers will take place from 5 to 7 March 2018, 21 to 23 March 2018, 4 to 6 April 2018, 25 to 27 April 2018.

During the 2.5-day workshop, teachers will learn how to use space robotics as well as automation (Arduino) in the context of 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 places is limited!

What to expect
During the Robotics and Automation Workshops for secondary school teachers, teachers will spend a day discovering the Arduino tool. Electricity, the use of environmental sensors, data collection, and computer programming will be investigated during this phase. An automatic watering system will be created by teachers, using ESA’ new  ‘Plants on Mars’ resource. Finally, during one day and a half, 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, computer programming, data collection, and data 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 or Associate State.

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

The deadlines to submit applications are:

• 8 February 2018 for the workshop taking place from 5 to 7 March 2018. Applicants will be notified by 9 February on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.
• 18 February 2018 for the workshop taking place from 21 to 23 March 2018. Applicants will be notified by 21 February 2018 on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.
• 1 March 2018 for the workshop taking place from 4 to 6 April 2018. Applicants will be notified by 5 March 2018 on whether their participation to the workshop is confirmed.
• 12 March 2018 for the workshop taking place from 25 to 27 April 2018. Applicants will be notified by 16 March 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, upon 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.