DanceBots gives children and young people a playful introduction to electronics and robotics. Together, they explore the individual components, solder, decorate, and experience how technology can be combined with creativity. Step by step, the participants design their own robot, which ultimately dances to a choreography they have developed themselves. This gives them first-hand experience of how individual components can be turned into a functioning project – and allows them to discover electronics in a practical and fascinating way.
No prior knowledge is required for the DanceBots workshop. Children and young people build a DanceBot from scratch: they solder the electronic components onto a circuit board and wire up a speaker, LED lights, and electric motors. They then design their own robot according to their own ideas and imagination. Using customized software, the children and young people program a choreography to a song. The software generates a special MP3 file that contains the commands for the motors, the LEDs, and the music. When everything has been soldered, built, and programmed correctly, the unique robots dance and spin, and their lights flash. DanceBots “performances” are ideal for parent-teacher conferences, school events, and other occasions.
The workshop lasts 1.5 days and is particularly suitable for project weeks. For secondary schools, we recommend a maximum of one day to build the robots.
In addition, the children and young people can take their own DanceBots home with them after the workshop. With the required Choreography Editor (see Downloads), they can program additional songs.
Learning outcomes
Children and young people build and program their own robots, gaining practical insight into robotics. The focus is on the robot's electronics. Thanks to its practical and creative approach, the module appeals to children and young people with a variety of interests. The finished DanceBots can be taken home.
How it all began
DanceBots was developed by Raymond Oung and Philipp Reist alongside their doctoral studies at ETH Zurich. The first DanceBots workshop took place in October 2011 as part of the City of Zurich's sports holiday camp in Fiesch. Since then, mint & pepper has been working tirelessly with Philipp Reist to continuously develop the project.
The reflection material topic cards on DanceBots helps to deepen the content of the workshop in a lasting way. With short topic cards on robots, components, microcontrollers, soldering, or power supply, students think about their own DanceBots, answer specific questions, and exchange ideas in group discussions. In this way, they combine practical experience with a basic understanding of electronics, robotics, and possible applications of robots in everyday life.
If you would like to conduct DanceBots yourself in class, teachers and interested parties can attend our further training courses. The necessary DanceBots sets can be purchased directly from us. A robot construction set costs CHF 30 (cost price). Current further training dates can be found here.
Our trained coaches lead the workshop and bring all the necessary materials with them. At least two coaches are always on site, sometimes supported by ETH students. The coaches are responsible for teaching the content, while the teachers or clients remain responsible for supervision. A room with workspaces for all participants and a projector should be available for the workshop.
Our prices cover the students' wages and material costs. Thanks to our partners, we are able to offer discounted workshop prices for a limited number of participants. If you are interested, please contact us for prices and current offers.