The "Extraordinary Explorers" Tech Workshop - For ages 10-14

From the Arctic Ice to the Red Planet

The Vision Inspired by the Summer Library Reading Challenge, "Extraordinary Explorers," this two-day workshop for 10–14 year olds in Liskeard connects local heritage with cutting-edge robotics. Students will transition from creating search-and-rescue hardware to autonomous planetary rover engineering, using industry-standard Python programming.

Part 1: The Resolute Rescue (Local History & Wearable Tech) Students will discover the story of Liskeard’s George Lower, who served on the HMS Resolute during the search for the lost Franklin Expedition in the Arctic.

• The Challenge: In the 1850s, communication was impossible once an explorer fell. Students will solve this using modern micro:bit technology.

• The Project: Coding a "Smart Beacon" in Python. The device uses the onboard accelerometer to detect a fall; if the explorer does not cancel the alarm within a set time, the beacon automatically broadcasts a radio distress signal to a base station.

Part 2: The Mars Frontier (Robotics & Autonomous Systems) The focus shifts to the modern-day "Extraordinary Explorers"—the robotic rovers currently navigating the Martian landscape.

• The Challenge: Communication delays between Earth and Mars mean rovers must be programmed to handle terrain independently from Earth.

• The Project: Students will program a rover using Python. By the end of the session, they will have mastered motor control simulating the complex commands sent to rovers like Perseverance or Curiosity.

Why This Initiative Matters This workshop addresses the "KS3 Gap," where students often lose interest in STEM as coding becomes more theoretical. By using physical hardware (micro:bits and Raspberry Pi-powered rovers), we provide a tangible, high-excitement environment.

• Skill Progression: Moving students beyond simple screen-based games to real-world hardware engineering.

• Community Connection: Reclaiming the story of local heroes like George Lower and showing students that Liskeard has always been a hub for global exploration.

• Literacy Link: Directly supporting the Summer Library Reading Challenge by bringing the themes of "Extraordinary Explorers" to life through technology.

Tickets for this workshop have been funded by the Lyskerys Fund. Fully funded places are available for children living in the Caradon District only.

Join us in celebrating Liskeard’s past while building its digital future.