Learn to speak Robot has closed for 2019
The Challenge and full website will re-open on 28 January 2020.
The Challenge
The Challenge is to complete any four of the hundreds of free digital thinking (coding and computational thinking) Challenge Activities that will be available on this site between the start of Term 1 and the end of Term 3.
The Challenge will be open to children of all ages in 2020.
A very big congratulations to every child in South Australia that took the Challenge in 2019!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNING LIBRARIES FOR 2019
The Commissioner would like to thank and congratulate every library in South Australia that ran a Challenge program in 2019 and sent in a completion form.
The Commissioner would also like to thank every library that actively promoted the Challenge to members of the public.
Running a Challenge Program
WHAT WAS THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
Libraries that ran a program were invited to provide a summary of the program they ran and a testimonial from a child who took part in this program. Entries were judged by the Commissioner on this basis and the quality of all entries received was high.
Congratulations to Hamra Library – City of West Torrens and Aldinga Library – City of Onkaparinga. Both libraries have won an Xbox-One 1TB donated by Challenge partner Microsoft.
HAMRA LIBRARY – CITY OF WEST TORRENS
Brief summary of the Program run at Hamra Library
Sessions from the online resources for home school families. The families looked at the website resources and decided each week which activities they wanted to learn.
Testimonial from child: ‘What I learned from the Challenge’
I learnt more about different programs to code. I really enjoyed the Scratch programs and want to do more activities using this. I found the Dance program, Lightbot and Star Wars coding really fun. My mum enjoyed the challenge too. We learnt a lot together. I also made friends with other home schoolers in this program.
ALDINGA LIBRARY – CITY OF ONKAPARINGA
Brief summary of the Program run at Aldinga Library
We incorporated the Challenge into our existing Code Club that runs after school on Mondays. The children were already immersed in their own projects, so it was a great bonus for them when they found they had completed the Challenge within a few weeks. It also added an extra incentive to children who were thinking of joining the club. It has proved to be a great promotional tool for our club as we have posted images on the library’s Facebook page of children with their Commissioner’s Digital Challenge certificates.
Testimonial from child: ‘What I learned from the Challenge’
I enjoy code club because it gives me skills I may need in the future. Getting the certificate was a nice surprise because I forgot I was doing the challenge.
Promoting the Challenge
WHAT WAS THE JUDGING CRITERIA?
Libraries were invited to promote the Challenge using the free promotional materials available (poster / LED screen display / shareable social media graphic). Some libraries arranged media attention in local press and magazines. Others published detailed program guides and one even printed canvass pull-up banners to display.
The following libraries have won award-winning offline coding game Potato Pirates (teaches the fundamentals of coding in 30 minutes to ages 7+) donated by ThinkFun, Fun Games that Sharpen Your Mind:
- City of Port Adelaide Enfield Libraries – 4 sets
- Cove Civic Centre – City of Marion Libraries – 2 sets
- Coventary Library – Adelaide Hills Library Service – 1 set
- Cummins School Community Library – 1 set
- Freeling Library – Light Regional Library Service – 2 sets
- Gawler Public Library – 3 sets
- Kadina Community Library – Copper Coast Libraries – 1 set
- Kapunda Library – Light Regional Library Service – 2 set
- Moonta Community Library – Copper Coast Libraries – 1 set
- Nuriootpa Library – Barossa Council Public Library – 1 set
- Salisbury Library Services – 5 sets
- Seaford Library – Onkaparinga Libraries – 1 set
- Victor Harbor Library – 4 sets
- Wallaroo Library – Copper Coast Libraries – 1 set
- Woodcroft Library – Onkaparinga Libraries – 1 set
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN 2020
LEARN TO SPEAK ROBOT
Given the strong engagement around South Australia in 2019, Learn to speak Robot will repeat each year.
SPACE TO DREAM
In 2020 the Commissioner will also introduce her brand new Mars-themed design thinking challenge called Space to Dream.
Children will be able to create their designs using free 3D design tools from Makers Empire or unplugged options.
Winning designs will be publicly exhibited at MOD Museum of Discovery.
HOW TO TAKE PART
Both challenges:
- Open from 28 January 2020 and close on 25 September 2020. Take the Challenge anytime during this period.
- Are open to children and young people of all ages in South Australia.
- Require no EXPERIENCE! Even children who have never tried coding or design thinking before will be able to get on board and learn cool new skills (parents can learn along with them!.
- Children do not need to register.
- Children can take part at school, with Scouts or Girl Guides, at their local public library or at home with family. There is no limit to the number of times a child may take part.
- Scouts and Guides completing the challenges earn exclusive Speak Robot and/or Space to Dream fabric badge(s).
- Only libraries wishing to run a Challenge Program and schools need to register. Registrations close 3 July 2020 and it only takes 30 seconds to register!
Libraries, complete this form to let the public know your library is running a Challenge program in 2020:
LIBRARIES REGISTER FOR 2020 NOW!
SCOUTS
Scout Leaders wishing to advise us of scouts who completed the Challenge but did not obtain their certificate before the Challenge closed, please contact us here: CommissionersDigitalChallenge@sa.gov.au
Scout Leaders needing to collect Learn to Speak Robot badges for Scouts completed the Challenge in 2019, contact:
Branch Program Support Officer
Scouts Australia (SA Branch)
211 Glen Osmond Road
Frewville
SA 5063
Phone 08 8130 6000
program@sahq.scouts.com.au
GIRL GUIDES
Guide Leaders wishing to advise us of Girl Guides who completed the Challenge but did not obtain their certificate before the Challenge closed, please contact us here: CommissionersDigitalChallenge@sa.gov.au
Guide Leaders needing to collect Learn to Speak Robot badges for Guides who completed the Challenge in 2019, contact:
Bev Severin
Assistant Program Manager
Girl Guides South Australia
C/- 311 Military Rd Henley Beach SA
bev@functionalbusiness.com.au
The Commissioner's Digital Challenge is
proudly supported by
Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge and celebrate the Traditional Owners of the lands throughout South Australia and we pay our respects to their Elders – and to past, present and future generations of their children and young people.
