Introduction to the course and get-to-know your trainers and fellow participants with networking activities. Practical issue arrangements and weekly schedule timetable. Presentation and registration by all participants to the “Emphasys Key Action 1 lifetime support platform“. This innovative platform will grant you access to all the material and supporting documentation of the course as well as a discussion forum for communication with all participants and trainers.

We will start with a short introduction to Robotics, followed by hands-on experience with the Lego Mindstorms EV3 robotic platform. We will learn ways to embed robotics into cross-curricular STEM courses and methods to engage students by providing the resources to design, build and program their creations while developing essential skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

Introduction to the Arduino open-source platform. We will learn to program and control an Arduino robot car with simple C++ coding and block-based coding commands.

We will examine topics such as controlling the robot through infrared, avoiding obstacles and line tracking. You will learn how to load programs in each mode and command the car to run as instructed.

Furthermore, we will see methods to connect what we learned with your school’s curriculum.

Finally, the Robot4All project and platform will be presented with available teaching material on Arduino.

Introduction to 3D Modeling and design with Tinkercad a free, online 3D modelling program that runs in a web browser, known for its simplicity and ease of use. We will see how we can manage a classroom’s creations and design models ready for 3D printing and incorporate it in the school in topics such as solid geometry.

We will then discuss 3D printing technologies and present affordable and efficient solutions for a school classroom 3D printer, followed by projects where 3D printing was used for social entrepreneurship.

Introduction to Video Game Design, using the number one go-to tool for all video game developers the Unity platform. We will see examples of video games used as educational tools and learn to code simple video games. And if you are teaching computer coding classes, we will show you alternative ways to communicate essential programming structures that will excite and intrigue students’ attention.

We will then experience various Virtual Reality applications that students can use in the classroom for a wide range of topics such as Art, History and ICT. Different VR headset options will be presented, such as the Oculus Rift S, which can be part of the classroom. Lastly, we will see how we can create simple VR simulations and environments by using the Unity platform.

Change of venue to an indoor stadium for drone flying We will learn how to use drones in teaching various subjects, enjoyably and interactively.

We will see how drones can be used in Social sciences and inspire students to learn about local geography, cartography, and the history of their school’s area, teach cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west) and environmental studies by identifying and analysing the litter types that pollute the environment with drone cameras. Use drones in mathematics to measure and estimate units of length, learn how to create and interpret graphs, determine distances, and acquire some fundamental trigonometry concepts by observing a drone’s flight path.

Finally, teachers can use drones to engage students in Newtonian laws such as gravity and objects in motion.

Change of venue to a coastal city of Cyprus (Larnaca or Famagusta). Recap and conclusion of the course. Course evaluation, recommendations, outcomes and further steps – remote support through the Emphasys Key Action 1 platform. Award of certificates to the attendees. Arrangements and assistance for airport transportation.

• Visit a primary school in Nicosia
• Visit a gymnasium/high school in Nicosia