The Secrets Within 11-14
Some of the world’s most fascinating places remain unexplored from ancient pyramid shafts to underground tunnels. Engineers are creating robots to explore these hidden spaces, drawing inspiration from nature and developing new technology. Learners become engineers, designing their own robots to navigate challenging, hard-to-reach locations.
Should the secrets in the pyramid be discovered or left alone?
Learners work as engineers by problem finding and asking questions to understand their cause. They explore the fascinating engineering solutions found by a specialist team from The University of Leeds, collaborating to discover secrets in the Egyptian temples in the Djedi project. They critically examine the problem and explore how new and emerging technologies impact on individuals, society and the environment.
How can we explore the unexplored?
Learners design a robot to navigate and collect data in challenging environments. They generate multiple ideas, identify key features for safety, functionality, and data collection, and justify their design choices using scientific knowledge and evidence. Learners create a detailed design specification and final annotated design.
How can we create and improve a robot capable of safely exploring hidden places?
Learners work through the Engineering Design Cycle to create a prototype of a surface-based exploration robot. They apply systems thinking and creative problem solving to design a prototype robot that is functional, adaptable, and capable of navigating difficult spaces.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provide a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. These sessions support Goals 9 and 15, which aim to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation; to protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
