UNSW STEM, Robotics &
Coding Challenge
The Highway Collapse — A massive geotechnical failure has severed a critical transport route.
Design coding, robotics, and AI solutions for rescue, logistics, safety, and recovery.
🗓️ Key Dates
All dates below are for the 2026 academic year (Term 2–Term 3)
Wednesday, 22 April 2026 — Term 2–Term 3
Friday, 25 September 2026 — End of Term 3
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Friday, 25 September 2026 — Video + Code submission
20–21 October 2026 — Held physically at UNSW (TBC)
Monday, 9 November 2026
Three Challenges, One Mission
Choose one or combine multiple challenges
STEM Challenge
Complete the maths problem curriculum and coding lessons through the e-learning platform. Results are automatically tracked and reviewed within the system.
Coding Challenge
Design and build an interactive project (game, simulation, or story) using Scratch, Python, or other platforms that addresses the highway collapse rescue theme.
Robotics Challenge
Build a physical robot or autonomous system that demonstrates a rescue or recovery solution. Submit a video presentation and your source code.
1. What Students Can Build
What can students create?
- 🎮 Games that rescue people from the collapsed highway, deliver emergency supplies, or navigate through rubble.
- 🏗️ Simulations that manage traffic diversion, emergency shelter systems, or structural reinforcement models.
- 📱 Apps or digital tools such as SOS alert systems, safe route planners, or damage assessment dashboards.
- 🧠 AI projects using image recognition (crack detection), sound analysis (distress calls), or motion tracking (rescue signals).
- 🤖 Robots that navigate debris, detect survivors, deliver supplies, or assist in bridge/road reconstruction.
- ⚙️ Open projects using any existing robot kits that match the highway collapse rescue theme.
2. Coding Challenge Pathways
Junior Coding Explorers
Best for: Lower Primary
Students can create beginner-friendly rescue projects set in the collapsed highway world.
Tools: ScratchJr, Scratch, Google Teachable Machine for simple AI.
Project Ideas:
- A rescue story where a character helps people cross a broken bridge
- A game where a robot collects medical supplies along a damaged road
- An emergency warning animation for the highway collapse
- An AI mission where a hand pose triggers a rescue action
Creative Coding Challenge
Best for: Upper Primary to Secondary
Use Scratch, Entry, or MRT AI Scratch App to create a game that responds to the highway collapse theme. Optionally add motion control for advanced gameplay.
Optional: Use MRT AI Scratch App for camera-based motion control (AI/Motion bonus points available).
Project Ideas:
- Evacuation route planner for stranded commuters
- Highway repair strategy game with resource management
- Emergency logistics simulator — deliver supplies to survivors
- Rescue drone delivery mission through debris obstacles
3. Robotics Challenge Pathways
Line Tracer Delivery Mission
Build and program a robot that follows safe routes through the damaged highway zone to deliver emergency supplies.
- Missions: Follow paths to the medical station, stop at danger zone markings, turn accurately at detour points, use a servo to drop supply packages.
- Skills Involved: Sensor reading, line tracing, servo control, precise movement.
AI Motion Rescue Mission
Use AI-based motion recognition to control a rescue robot without touching it — ideal for hazardous debris zones.
- Missions: Hand signal = move forward into debris, Pose = stop at danger zone, Special motion = release rescue package.
- Skills Involved: AI pose recognition, coding+robotics integration, human-machine interaction.
Open Robotics Challenge
Tackle the same Robotics A missions (line tracing, servo rescue) using any robot kit other than MRT. This is your chance to compete with the hardware you already have!
- Same Missions as Robotics A: Follow safe routes, stop at danger zones, deliver supply packages — but with your own robot kit.
- Accepted Kits: LEGO Robotics, VEX, Arduino, micro:bit, mBot, Codey Rocky, Ozobot, Sphero, Raspberry Pi, and any other programmable robot.
- Rule: MRT robot kits should enter via Robotics A. All other kits enter here.
4. Recommended Tools You Can Use
💻 Coding Tools
- ScratchJr & Scratch
- Python
- JavaScript
- Other mainstream languages
🧠 AI Tools
- Google Teachable Machine
- TM2Scratch extension
- TMPose2Scratch extension
- Image/Sound/Pose recognition
⚙️ Robotics Tools
- MRT C-language & Scratch Compiler
- MRT AI Mainboard
- Arduino & micro:bit
- Other compatible controllers
👨🏫 Helpful for Teachers
Teachers can use this challenge to support classroom learning in Digital Technologies, STEM/STEAM, Robotics, Design Thinking, the Engineering Design Process, AI introduction, Problem-solving, teamwork, and project-based learning.
Guide based on confidence:
Students do not need to build the same type of project. You may guide them by level:
- Lower Primary: ScratchJr / Scratch storytelling or simple rescue games
- Upper Primary: Scratch, AI missions, simple robotics rescue tasks
- Secondary: Python, advanced AI, smart safety systems, robotics engineering
Suggested Classroom Flow:
- Learn the Highway Collapse rescue scenario
- Identify a transport or safety problem
- Plan a rescue or recovery solution
- Build the code or robot
- Test and improve
- Present how the solution helps the community
Evaluation Criteria
Creativity (20 pts)
How original, imaginative, and exciting is the idea?
Problem Solving (20 pts)
How well does the project help solve the highway collapse crisis?
Coding/Engineering (20 pts)
How well is the code or robot built and programmed?
Design & Function (20 pts)
Does it work smoothly, clearly, and successfully?
Presentation (20 pts)
Can the student clearly explain the idea, process, and impact?
Bonus Points
Extra credit for strong AI integration, smart safety systems, excellent storytelling, real-world usefulness, or creative robotics design.
✅ Important Entry Guidance
Students may participate at their own level.
Projects can be simple or advanced, digital or physical, individual or team-based, as long as they connect clearly to the yearly challenge theme.
Bonus Rule: A single registration allows a student to submit up to 2 projects across different pathways (e.g., 1 Coding + 1 Robotics). You do NOT need to choose your category during registration—just submit when you are ready!
2026 Challenge — The Highway Collapse
A massive geotechnical failure has severed a critical transport route. Students across Australia are invited to design coding, robotics, and AI solutions for rescue, logistics, safety, and recovery.
🎯 Mission & Purpose
To empower students to solve real-world problems through the all-powerful tool of coding, using engineering thinking, creativity, and teamwork to make a real impact.
Design, logic & systems thinking
Not just for fun, with purpose
Games, apps, or simulations
Just like real STEM professionals
🎨 Theme: The Highway Collapse
A massive geotechnical failure has severed a critical transport route. Students design solutions for:
Structural failure rescue\n🚑
🏛️ Host & Support
| Host | UNSW Built Environment |
| Support |
🔹 Women in Construction Project 🔹 Department of the PM&C Office for Women 🔹 MRT Robotics e-learning https://robotclass.com.au/ |
🗓️ Event Schedule
Venue: UNSW Sydney
Wednesday, 22 April 2026 (Term 2–Term 3)
Friday, 25 September 2026 (End of Term 3)
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Friday, 25 September 2026 (Video + Code)
20–21 October 2026 (TBC)
Monday, 9 November 2026
🧪 Evaluation Criteria
Each criterion scored 1–20 points
Unique ideas & gameplay
Simplicity, logic, optimization
Clear structure & theme
Aesthetic & gameplay balance
Clear video explanation
🤖 AI Integration — Bonus points for AI use
🎖 Participation & Pricing
Individual
School Group
🏆 Awards & Prizes
All participants
⭐ How to Participate
Individual Entry
School Group Entry
🏆 Awards & Prizes
Recognising excellence at every level
All participants
Outstanding achievement
Top performers
Special prizes
🏛️ Host & Support
| Host | UNSW School of Built Environment |
| Support |
🔹 Women in Construction Project 🔹 robotclass.com.au |
AI Integration
Bonus points for creative AI integrationOpen to all K–12 students
With special encouragement for girls and students in remote areas.
