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Landline: Drones and bugs

We don't normally associate robotics with farming but, in fact, robotics have revolutionised farming and agriculture in recent years. Find out how some strawberry farmers are using drones to disperse 'good' bugs for pest control management. Can you think of some other ways drones could be used to help farmers?

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Catalyst: Shining the light on a more sustainable globe

Artificial lighting methods have changed with the invention of new lighting technologies designed to be more energy efficient and to reduce the use of resources. Since electricity has been used as an energy source, incandescent and fluorescent globes and, more recently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been used in our ...

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For the Juniors: How planes take off and fly

A modern jet aeroplane is big and heavy, so how does it fly? In this clip we explain how the wing shape helps a plane to take off and fly. Also see how a plane's jet engine works. Is it all a load of hot air?

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Catalyst: Can you solve the 'travelling salesman problem'?

Imagine you are a salesperson having to travel between multiple locations. How would you achieve this in the quickest way possible? This is a problem that has stumped mathematicians for decades, and there is even a prize for anyone who can come up with an algorithm to solve it. In this video, three methods are used to try ...

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Imagining other uses for robotics technology

It's cool to program robots to play football, but there are many more useful applications for programming robots to react to what they are seeing. What are some of the examples David McKinnon gives? Can you think of some more examples?

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And now to build the satellite!

Once the design plan for a satellite is approved, it's important to identify the appropriate materials, tools and equipment needed to construct the new product. Watch this clip to find out what an engineer might do to select and test the components and techniques needed to build a satellite like NASA's MAVEN spacecraft. ...

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Thinking about the design process

Watch as UNSW student and Blusat member William Frohlich talks about the design process. What are some of the important things to consider before you start to make a project? Why does William say it's important to be flexible with your designs? Design your own obstacle course for your family using objects from around your ...

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Learning from design 'mistakes'

Finding the solution to a design problem involves generating creative ways to address a need or difficulty. Design is the key and it often involves an engineer. In this clip, explore what an engineer is and what they do, and see an example of how NASA engineers might plan, create and test an idea to fix a space station.

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Getting satellite design right

Is it a good idea to build a complex and expensive machine without carefully checking the design first? This animated clip describes some of the steps NASA took during the design review process for the development of a new satellite. Can you think of any other steps in design reviews?

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Ever seen robots play sumo?

Watch this clip to see sumo robots in action! UNSW student and Robogals member Jonathan Loong explains how the game works. How do the robots know when to turn around and move back into the ring?

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Engineering is not just for maths geniuses!

You don't need to be a big maths brain to become an engineer. Listen as Ashwini Ranjithabalan from Women in Engineering and IT at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) describes how her understanding of maths grew from her interest in engineering. Sometimes understanding how maths can provide solutions to problems in ...

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Why become an engineer?

Are you interested in improving the way people live? What are some of the other reasons Ashwini Ranjithabalan gives for wanting to be an engineer?

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Engineering clean rivers

Figuring out how to clean up contaminated rivers is a big challenge. It's also tricky to work out where the most contaminated parts of a river system are and whether its fish are safe to eat. Watch this video and learn how engineering has helped to solve these problems. Why do you think engineers looked to the bottom of ...

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Growing carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are a very tiny but super strong material used in manufacturing to create strong, lightweight products. Besides sporting equipment, find out what other kinds of products are made using these tiny molecules. What other qualities (besides size and strength) do carbon nanotubes have that makes them even more ...

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Australian Curriculum - Agriculture in education (a teacher's point of view)

This is a video about the value of a unit of work focusing on agriculture and food production as part of an integrated approach to Implementing the Australian Curriculum. It is presented by year 6 teacher Tathia Shield Wells and includes footage of her students making butter and growing vegetables. She explains how the ...

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A year on a farm: teacher video

This video supports the unit of work by the same name. Presented by a classroom teacher who has trialled the unit the video reflects on the inquiry based pedagogy and the unit's value in terms of curriculum alignment and student engagement.

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Investigating food and fibres: teacher video

This video supports the unit of work by the same name. Presented by a classroom teacher who has trialled the unit the video reflects on the inquiry based pedagogy and the unit's value in terms of curriculum alignment and student engagement. The teacher discusses the opportunities the unit offers to engage with the historical ...

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Investigating technologies in agriculture: teacher video

This video supports the unit of work by the same name. Presented by a classroom teacher who has trialled the unit the video reflects on the inquiry based pedagogy and the unit's value in terms of curriculum alignment and student engagement.

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What makes these paper planes fly?

Have you ever wondered what makes a paper plane fly? Think about the design of the paper plane as well as external factors like the various forces that are at play, then make a list of the design considerations and a list of the different forces.

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Game changers and change makers: resource book of ideas for National Science Week 2018

This resource book includes ideas to support students’ involvement in investigating, exploring, experimenting, designing, creating and communicating their understandings about game changers and change makers from the past who have solved some of the seemingly unsolvable problems, to game changers and change makers of today, ...