Robo games comes to Discovery

IN preparation for the Olympic Games in July, Discovery Science and Technology Centre is holding their very own robotic Olympics.

Students from grade 3 to 6 are invited to put robots through their paces on Wednesday 7 July, while everyday visitors can learn about the physics behind some of the top Olympic sports in the Faster, Stronger, Higher show.

Science communicator and general manager of Discovery Alissa Van Soest said the school holiday program is the perfect combination of fun, sport and science.

“As athletes around the world are preparing to test their bodies, we are going to be putting our robots to the test here at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre,” she said.

“We’re also going to be letting children and their families learn about the science behind the sport. We’re going to get sporty, but in a bit of a brainy way.”

“We’re going to be exploring the physics of gymnastics, we’re going to look into skating and finding out things like how angular momentum comes into play in sport, and also having a look at things like the speed that comes into play as people are pushing their bodies to the limit.”

Visitors will have the opportunity to test their own ability in the Athlete’s Arena, while also being able to create their own robot competitor using BlueBots and Spheros.

“Spheros are those little balls that you can control through code or just drive and we’re going to be running some swimming races with our robots,” Ms Van Soest said.

Ms Van Soest said the centre is excited to be open and operating, and visitors have adapted to the COVIDSafe requirements.

“It’s always a strange feeling having the centre quiet,” she said.

“Having people coming back for the school holidays, especially having everyone being so brilliant about the QR codes and the masks, it’s really lovely to have everyone back in the centre and enjoying and experiencing the science and the fun that we offer here.”

Bookings are required to maintain density limits and can be accessed at discovery.asn.au.