Unplugged - Art

Unplugged - Art

Curriculum Mapping Student Devices
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This course introduces young learners to coding concepts through unplugged and digital art activities. Participants act as robot artists, following step-by-step instructions to colour grids, draw shapes on dot grids, create symmetrical mirror images, build repeating patterns with objects, and collaborate in pairs to construct a spaceship. Emphasis is placed on sequencing, debugging, precision, and teamwork, bridging hands-on creativity with computational thinking.
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This module introduces foundational coding concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. Students explore sequencing, debugging, and symmetry by acting as robot artists, following precise instructions to create art, patterns, and collaborative projects. Using worksheets, digital tools, and teamwork, learners build problem-solving skills and connect coding to real-world applications.

Curriculum Mapping
  • S5.1.2: Technology: through plugged and/ or unplugged activities, explore how to decompose [break down] problems or processes into simple algorithms [sequences of steps]. Identify and recognise any patterns [similarities/repetitions] or bugs [errors] in these algorithms. AL, DL, M
  • S5.1.1: Technology: build on their awareness of a range of digital and non-digital technologies that they encounter in their everyday lives. Explore and discuss how these technologies help us and those around us to live and work in the world. AL, DL, W
  • S1.1.1: Nature of STEM: explore and experience how people working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) carry out investigations and help to solve problems, big and small, that impact our world. AL, DL, M
Colouring Robot Beginner
Drawing Robot Beginner
Digital Robot Beginner
The Mirror Robot Beginner
The Pattern Robot Beginner
The Collaborative Robot Beginner

This module introduces foundational coding concepts through engaging, hands-on activities. Students explore sequencing, debugging, and symmetry by acting as robot artists, following precise instructions to create art, patterns, and collaborative projects. Using worksheets, digital tools, and teamwork, learners build problem-solving skills and connect coding to real-world applications.

Curriculum Mapping
  • S5.1.2: Technology: through plugged and/ or unplugged activities, explore how to decompose [break down] problems or processes into simple algorithms [sequences of steps]. Identify and recognise any patterns [similarities/repetitions] or bugs [errors] in these algorithms. AL, DL, M
  • S5.1.1: Technology: build on their awareness of a range of digital and non-digital technologies that they encounter in their everyday lives. Explore and discuss how these technologies help us and those around us to live and work in the world. AL, DL, W
  • S1.1.1: Nature of STEM: explore and experience how people working in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) carry out investigations and help to solve problems, big and small, that impact our world. AL, DL, M
Colouring Robot Beginner
Drawing Robot Beginner
Digital Robot Beginner
The Mirror Robot Beginner
The Pattern Robot Beginner
The Collaborative Robot Beginner

Curriculum Mapping

See exactly how this course maps to official curriculum specifications

Download NCCA STE Education Specification (2025)
NCCA STE Education Specification (2025)
Curriculum Area
Outcomes
Nature of STEM
S1.2.1
Living things
S2.2.1 S2.2.2
Materials
S3.2.1 S3.2.2
Energy and forces
S4.2.1 S4.2.2 S4.2.3
Technology
S5.2.1 S5.2.2
Engineering
S6.2.1
  • Strand: Technology
  • Strand: Nature of STEM

What Students Will Learn

Learning Goals

  1. Understand fundamental coding concepts such as sequencing, debugging, and pattern recognition through hands-on art activities.
  2. Develop precision in following and creating step-by-step instructions to produce visual outcomes.
  3. Explore symmetry and repetition as key principles in art and computational thinking.
  4. Build collaborative skills by working in teams to execute shared creative coding tasks.
  5. Transition from unplugged to digital tools to command virtual robots in pattern creation.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Follow step-by-step instruction sequences to accurately colour grids and draw lines on worksheets using coloured pencils or markers.
  2. Identify and correct errors in sequencing instructions through debugging activities, such as spotting mistakes in code cards or arrow directions.
  3. Use direction buttons in a digital application to program a robot to create basic shapes and patterns on screen.
  4. Apply symmetry principles by reversing step-by-step instructions to draw mirrored images across a line on dot-grid worksheets.
  5. Collaborate in pairs to follow shared code sequences, draw assigned parts of a composite image like a spaceship, and integrate contributions seamlessly.

What You'll Need

Required Equipment

Equipment used in some of the lessons in this course. Items can be shared among students.

IWB/Projector/Large Screen
IWB/Projector/Large Screen

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