Robotics engineers design, build and programme machines to do jobs more easily than a human could. These might be jobs that are repetitive, very dangerous, difficult or in very tiny spaces. This could be in factories, in medicine or even in space.
Robotics engineers are:
Creative when they design and build robots for different jobs.
Observant as they need to find and fix faults in robots and computer code.
Resilient because they need to try lots of different ways to design, build and programme robots before they get them to work properly.
Includes statements from Development Matters (birth to age five) and the relevant ELGs.
Play, Be, C Units provide enabling environments with teaching and support from adults. Reflecting on the characteristics of effective teaching and learning, children will have opportunity to learn and develop by:
- Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’.
- Active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements.
- Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things.
Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework: accessed November 2024. Available under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Our suggested book for this Unit is Robots, Robots Everywhere! by Sue Fliess, illustrated by Bob Staake.
You can find out more about the book at the publisher’s page, and the Google Books page will link you to retailers and local libraries.
We have designed these STEM-focused questions to use alongside the questioning you would usually use when reading a story.
These adult led activities and provocations will support the introduction of the robotics engineer career to the children in your setting.
We have included these links to our related STEM at home activities. These could be sent out for families to try at home, or run in school at a family session.
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Melanie Horan2021-09-01 13:55:522025-03-12 15:33:34Robot CodingThis is a link to the instructions for a related family STEM story time activity. This is an opportunity to introduce STEM ideas and activities to parents, carers and other family members in a relaxed and enjoyable way.
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Melanie Horan2025-03-12 13:21:262025-03-12 15:46:21Robotics engineer family story time
The Robotics Engineer poster (PDF)
A robotics engineer uses their knowledge of engineering science and technology, computer operating systems, hardware and software and design skills to research, design and create what customers want to automate.
Robotics engineers use computer aided design (CAD) to design processes and parts, then build and test prototypes. After finding and fixing faults, they demonstrate finished products to customers.
Robotics engineers may also analyse data from robot sensors and cameras and research new ways to use robots and artificial intelligence.
You can download our robotics engineer poster to use in your setting.
