Students at Siemens Science Summer Experience at Central Queensland University in Rockhampton took playing with Lego to new heights.

Robotics expert and CQU lecturer Andrew Chiou introduced students to the world of autonomous robots – robotics capable of self-navigating and doing programmed tasks without human intervention.

Using state-of-the-art Lego Mindstorms robotics kits, the year 10 students got some hands-on experience in building robots.

Students were also able to write programs which were subsequently downloaded into the completed robots. Using light, touch sensors and a fully automated Lego microntroller brick, the robots were then tested on their ability to follow a predefined path.

Siemens students also had another chance to gets their hands onto another building block, K’nex.

Using a K’nex Kit, some cardboard and a piece of string, students were required to construct the longest possible bridge to carry a 2kg load carried by a test vehicle.

Siemens Science Summer Experience 2004 is a three-day summer school developed to provide students starting year 10 with some hands-on experience in science and technology-based fields.

Students from Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Blackwater, Moura, Emerald, Chinchilla, Biloela, Dalby and Yeppoon took part in the school.

A keynote speaker was veterinary surgeon Dr Greg Muir who gave students an insight into his life looking after our animal friends.

Photo: Zemma Holmes Story (Rockhampton Grammar School) and Ben Rayfield from Marist College (Emerald) enjoy building hi-tech robots from Lego during this week’s Siemens Science Summer Experience at CQU Rockhampton.