Available courses

Grade 4 Coding and Robotics

The six courses making up the Intermediate Phase and Senior Phase training are designed to prepare educators to teach CAPS curriculum ATPs. To enable them to understand the relationship between the CAPS curriculum and the activities outlined in the LMS, every chapter of the LMS has been mapped to CAPS curriculum ATPs. Refer to the table LMS – CAPS Mapping Grades 4–9.

The courses have been designed to serve as a scheme of work to be followed by the educator in the classroom with their learners. They are ideal for a project-based teaching approach. The longer the lesson times, the better; ideally, two hours. However, the educator will need to adapt the work to fit within the constraints of their school timetable.

The Grade 4 Coding and Robotics course introduces young learners to the basics of practical, hands-on physical computing. Lesson planning and class management for coding and robotics sessions is a great deal easier when the educator makes use of suitable and appropriate resources. Much of the project work outlined in this course is based on the micro, a small and affordable computer designed for use in the classroom. The micro is also a sophisticated device, enabling learners to create automated systems incorporating sensing and control.

The Coding and Robotics LMS includes an assessment tool that enables educators to demonstrate their learning and progress. Successful completion of the assessment leads to the award of a certificate validating their professional development on the course.

Grade 5 Coding and Robotics

The Grade 5 Coding and Robotics course builds on the fundamentals of physical computing covered in Grade 4 Coding and Robotics and dives into some slightly more advanced sensing for input and electrical components for output. The project-based approach encouraged by these courses fosters creativity and collaboration. Key components of this course include understanding feedback control systems, exploring analogue sensors such as light-dependent resistors and soil moisture sensors, and developing programming skills using the MakeCode environment. By creating projects such as navigation wristbands and smart lighting systems, students enhance their problem-solving abilities and gain practical knowledge in electronics and coding, empowering them to become innovative thinkers and creators.

For certification, educators must complete the assessment tool.

Grade 6 Coding and Robotics

The Grade 6 Coding and Robotics course continues to extend the learners’ knowledge and understanding of core coding and robotics principles. The practical projects continue to be micro, enabling the educator to adopt a consistent approach and build on the MakeCode skills taught in Grades 4 and 5. Grade 6 project work sets the learners more complicated design problems, such as building an automated fairground ride that utilises relays and sensors. Key topics include the limitations of motor control, automation with actuators, and the impact of robotics on society.

The course includes a greater element of the Digital Concepts ATPs from the CAPS curriculum, as the learners are introduced to wireless communication and experiment with programming using Logo and the fundamentals of binary code, as well as some more advanced coding constructs such as functions and arguments.

For certification, educators must complete the assessment tool.

Educators who have completed the three Intermediate Phase courses on this LMS will develop practical skills in coding and electronics, enhancing their problem-solving abilities and creativity in technology projects.

Educators will be awarded Intermediate Phase certification if they have gained certificates for all three courses, Grades 4, 5 and 6.

Grade 7 Coding and Robotics

The Grade 7 Coding and Robotics course introduces more advanced concepts in physical computing, coding and robotics. As before, the micro is the computing platform on which much of the hands-on, practical, project-based work is based. Now that the learners are in the Senior Phase, progress will result from problem-solving involving greater precision and some numerical calculation.

The artefacts that the learners create to complete each practical project will enable them to develop their engineering and model-making skills. The learners are also encouraged to apply creativity and artistry to ensure that the models are aesthetically pleasing.

Key topics include motor control, the theory and practice of computer-controlled vehicles, computer-controlled vehicle building, and the impact of robotics on society.

In addition to practical work requiring micro and electronic components, the learners will experience some ‘unplugged’ problem-solving activities.

For certification, educators must complete the assessment tool.

Grade 8 Coding and Robotics

The Grade 8 Coding and Robotics course is heavily geared towards the application of engineering to the solution of the project-based problems that the learners are set. They will be required to build some precise and complex models and to create the code to control them. They will be required to combine every one of the five STEAM disciplines in sophisticated ways to solve the problems that will be set during this course.

Computer-based activities continue to be micro. The learners will explore the functionality of actuators, particularly servos, to create automated systems such as a lifting barrier and a smart irrigation system to monitor and adjust soil moisture levels. The course emphasises programming skills, allowing students to develop and refine algorithms using MakeCode. By engaging in practical applications such as sound-responsive indicators and distance measurement using ultrasonic sensors, learners will enhance their coding and engineering abilities while understanding the societal impact of robotics and technology.

For certification, educators must complete the assessment tool.

Grade 9 Coding and Robotics

The Grade 9 Coding and Robotics course explores advanced concepts of physical computing and robotics using the Raspberry Pi Pico. Students will learn to measure analogue inputs such as temperature and distance using various sensors, applying mathematical principles to real-world applications.

Key projects include creating an automatic light switch, implementing a cooling fan control system based on analogue temperature data, and designing circuits that incorporate logic gates for decision-making in automation. Through hands-on coding experiences using MicroPython, the learners will be introduced to a professional textual language as they progress from block coding to Python. This will enable them to lay down a solid foundation for the work they will encounter in Grade 10 and beyond.

For certification, educators must complete the assessment tool. Educators will be awarded Senior  Phase certification if they have gained certificates for all three courses, Grades 7, 8 and 9.

Intermediate Phase Coding and Robotics Teacher Training

This course is designed to provide teachers of grades 4-6 with straightforward, practical advice on initiating physical computing and robotics in their classrooms while enhancing their existing practices. It does not aim to be an exhaustive collection of physical computing projects; rather, the selected projects showcase a diverse array of techniques and processes commonly applied in physical systems, allowing educators to engage their students creatively and effectively.

Senior Phase Coding and Robotics Teacher Training

This course offers teachers of grades 7-9 practical coding and robotics skills to inspire student curiosity and develop real-world problem solvers. The hands-on training combines curriculum-aligned lesson design with ready-to-use projects and affordable hardware setups, enabling teachers to confidently teach programming logic, both block- and text-based coding, as well as sensors, actuators, and robotics challenges aligned with assessment criteria.