Thinks like an engineer
The ThinkerLab Engineering Cycle — discover, decompose, design, code, test, debug, improve, share — becomes second nature, not just for robots but for any problem.
ROBOTICS ACADEMY · AGES 9–13
Learn How Robots Think
In 8 weeks your child codes and programs real robots — finishing by designing an autonomous delivery robot, and thinking like a true engineer.
No experience needed Codes & programs real robots Small groups · max 15
$350/term · 8-week term · $39.99/class
Not sure? Try your first class for just $10 — the price of a cup of coffee.
Tuesdays 5–6 pm · Caroline Springs Library · starts 28 July
Rated 5.0 on Google 400+ children inspired Engineer-led · WWCC-cleared
Class details
New term starts Tue 28 July
Caroline Springs Library
Tuesdays · starts 28 July 2026
5 – 6 pm · 8-week term
Robots supplied · BYO laptop
$350 /term
$39.99 per class over the 8-week term
Not ready to commit? Try your first class for $10 — book a trial.
More than coding robots — learning how they think
Designed for curious 9–13 year-olds, the Robotics Academy turns a love of machines and games into genuine engineering. Each week your child programs a real VinciBot robot to move, sense and make decisions — planning on paper first, then coding, testing and improving, just like a professional engineer. By Week 8 they design and present their own autonomous delivery robot.
Hands-on. Screen-smart. Kids think they’re just driving robots — they’re actually learning to think like engineers.
What your child really gains
Far more than robotics — skills they carry well beyond the classroom.
Codes with real logic
Events, loops, conditionals, functions and variables — your child writes genuine code to make a robot move, sense and decide.
Programs robots that sense & decide
Ultrasonic, line and colour sensors, plus if/else logic — kids code a robot to move from a remote-controlled toy to a truly autonomous machine.
Presents with confidence
Every child finishes able to explain their thinking, demo their robot and articulate one improvement — the mark of a real engineer.
The ThinkerLab Engineering Cycle
The same problem-solving loop real engineers use — at the heart of every single lesson.
1
Discover
What is the problem?
2
Decompose
Break it into smaller steps.
3
Design
Draw your plan or flowchart.
4
Code
Build one part at a time.
5
Test
Does it work?
6
Debug
Find and fix errors.
7
Improve
Make it faster & smarter.
8
Share
Explain your thinking.
The 8-Week Roadmap
Theme: Learn How Robots Think. Each week is a new engineering concept and a real robot mission.
Fully scaffolded — beginners and confident coders each work at their own level and pace.
Every 60-minute lesson follows the same rhythm:
5m Welcome & robot challenge10m Learn the engineering concept10m Guided coding demo25m Mission challenge (in pairs)5m Improve & extension5m Reflection & showcase
See the full week-by-week breakdown
WEEK1
Meet Your Robot
Concept: What is a robot? Input → process → output — and what makes a real robot different from a toy.
Mission: Program VinciBot to move, introduce itself, show emotions with LEDs and play a sound.
Engineering habit: Think before you code.
WEEK2
Robot Movement
Concept: Movement needs precision — distance, speed, turning and timing.
Mission: Robot Driving School: straight driving, a square, a triangle and a parking challenge.
Engineering habit: Small adjustments make big improvements.
WEEK3
Algorithms & Breaking Problems
Concept: Big problems become small steps: problem → algorithm → flowchart → code.
Mission: Robot Delivery Route — students draw their algorithm before touching the computer.
Engineering habit: Plan before coding.
WEEK4
Robot Senses
Concept: How robots “see” — ultrasonic, line and colour sensors, and reading sensor values.
Mission: Don’t Crash! The robot drives until it detects an obstacle (extension: slow down before stopping).
Engineering habit: Sensors give robots information.
WEEK5
Robot Decisions
Concept: Robots make decisions using information — if / else and conditions.
Mission: Traffic Controller: stop on red, go on green, turn when blocked.
Engineering habit: Good decisions use good data.
WEEK6
Smarter Robots
Concept: Reusable code — functions and variables.
Mission: Warehouse Robot: collect, deliver and return using reusable movement blocks.
Engineering habit: Work smarter, not harder.
WEEK7
Debug Like an Engineer
Concept: Every engineer debugs — find the problem, fix it, improve it.
Mission: Robot Repair Shop: each team repairs another team’s robot.
Engineering habit: Mistakes help us learn.
WEEK8
ThinkerLab Delivery Challenge
Concept: The final mission — parents invited.
Mission: Design an Autonomous Delivery Robot that follows a route, avoids an obstacle, delivers a package and returns — then present it. Certificates & awards.
Engineering habit: Share your thinking.
Want the full week-by-week curriculum?
Download the detailed parent guide as a PDF — the complete 8-week roadmap, the engineering concept and robot mission behind each week, what your child codes, and everything that’s included.
- All 8 weeks, concept by concept
- Every robot mission and engineering habit
- The Engineering Cycle, Mission Journal & what to expect
Get the full 8-week robotics curriculum (PDF)
Just your email and we’ll open the detailed parent guide instantly — every week’s concepts, the maths & physics behind them, and what your child builds. Unsubscribe anytime.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT
The Engineering Mission Journal
Instead of throwaway worksheets, every child keeps an Engineering Mission Journal — one page each week. By the end of the term they have a portfolio that shows not just what they built, but how they thought like an engineer. Something you can actually see and value.
Each week, one page:
- 🎯 Today’s mission
- 💭 My plan
- 🗺️ My algorithm (flowchart)
- 💻 My code (key blocks)
- 🧪 What went wrong?
- 🔧 How I improved it
- ⭐ One thing I learned
What’s included and what your child takes home
What’s included
- 8 weekly hands-on sessions (small group, max 15)
- All robots & equipment supplied for class — just bring a laptop
- The Engineering Mission Journal — your child’s engineering portfolio
- Certificate + the ThinkerLab Delivery Challenge showcase
- Designed & taught by a qualified engineer · WWCC-cleared
What your child takes home
- A portfolio of their own designs, flowcharts and code
- Real coding skills — loops, conditionals, functions, variables
- How sensors, decisions and autonomy actually work
- The confidence to plan, code, debug and present
- The mindset of an engineer who solves real problems
Parents can feel confident
A premium, safe learning environment — the same trusted ThinkerLab team Melbourne families rate 5.0 on Google.
Engineer-led
Designed & taught by a qualified engineer
WWCC-cleared
Fully insured · Child Safe
Small groups
Max 15 — real individual attention
Rated 5.0
From 18 Google reviews
Loved by parents — and their kids
Rated 5.0 from 18 Google reviews · families across Melbourne’s west
“My daughters had a great time in the robotics class and loved getting all the hands-on experience and seeing their robots come to life. Thank you for this wonderful course!”
“This session was about coding with the micro:bit — my child really enjoyed it. It was amazing to see her coding and personalising it after just 10 minutes.”
“A fantastic blend of fun, interactive learning and hands-on creativity. The instructors were engaging and supportive. Highly recommended for parents looking to spark curiosity and STEM skills in their children.”
“It was a great session. This is really a good exposure for the kids to know more about programming and robotics in a fun and practical way. 👍”
How it works
From curious to confident in three simple steps.
1
Book a $10 trial
Come along for a no-obligation first class for just $10 — the price of a cup of coffee. See your child light up before you commit.
2
Enrol for the term
Lock in a small-group spot (max 15) for the 8-week term. $350 for the term — $39.99 per class.
3
Code & showcase
Your child codes a real robot week by week and presents their autonomous delivery robot at the Delivery Challenge.
Ready to bring a robot to life?
Only 15 places per group — reserve your child’s spot for the new term starting 28 July. $350 per term ($39.99 per class).
Still deciding? Try your first class for just $10 — book a trial.
[email protected] · 0426 693 283 · WWCC-cleared, insured & Child Safe
Robotics Academy FAQ
The questions parents ask most before enrolling — robots, experience, safety, dates and price.
What robots do the kids use — and do we need to buy anything?
We supply the robots and all equipment for use in class — your child programs a real VinciBot (motors, LEDs, a speaker and ultrasonic, line and colour sensors), and the robots stay at ThinkerLab between sessions. Please bring a laptop to code on (any Windows, Mac or Chromebook). There’s nothing to buy, and beginners are welcome.
Does my child need any coding or robotics experience?
No. The term starts from the very basics and is fully scaffolded — beginners build up step by step while confident kids get extension challenges. With a maximum of 15 students, every child works at their own level and pace.
What will my child actually learn over the 8 weeks?
They learn how robots think — movement and precision, algorithms and flowcharts, sensors, if/else decisions, functions and variables, and debugging. Every week applies the ThinkerLab Engineering Cycle, building to a final autonomous delivery robot they design themselves.
Isn’t this just more screen time?
It’s the opposite of passive screen time. Your child writes real code to make a physical robot move, sense and decide — planning on paper first, then testing and improving. It’s hands-on engineering with something real to show for it.
Is it safe? What are your educators’ credentials?
The curriculum is designed and taught by a qualified engineer, so your child learns from someone who solves real engineering problems. All staff are WWCC-cleared, we’re fully insured and follow a Child Safe policy, and classes are capped at 15 for close supervision.
When and where does it run, and how much is it?
Tuesdays 5–6 pm at Caroline Springs Library, over an 8-week term starting 28 July 2026. It’s $350 for the full term — that works out to $39.99 per class.
How is this different from your Game Engineering program?
Same small-group, engineer-led ThinkerLab teaching — but here your child codes physical robots rather than video games. Robotics suits kids who love machines and seeing their code move something in the real world. Many families do both.
Can we try a class first?
Yes — book a $10, no-obligation trial (about the price of a cup of coffee) so your child can experience a session before you commit to the term. Most families enrol straight after. Book online or email [email protected] / call 0426 693 283.
What if we miss a week, or it’s not the right fit?
Just let us know and we’ll help your child catch up so they don’t fall behind. We keep refunds and transfers simple — contact us early and we’ll arrange a transfer to a later term or the right solution for your family.