How to build a robot: a school-friendly guide to key components

Published on 23 January 26

Building a robot is one of the most exciting and hands-on STEM projects a school can run. It gives students the opportunity to move beyond theory and apply their knowledge in a practical, engaging way. Through robotics, learners develop problem-solving, teamwork, programming and engineering skills - all while having fun bringing something real to life.

This guide breaks down the essential parts of a beginner-friendly robot and explains what each component does, why it matters, and how they work together as a complete system. It is designed to give students and educators a clear starting point for successful classroom robotics projects.

In this guide, students will:

  • Learn the role of key robot components such as controllers, motors, sensors, and power systems
  • Understand how hardware and software interact to create movement and behaviour
  • Build confidence by seeing how individual parts combine into a working robot

By the end, learners will have a stronger foundation in robotics and a clearer understanding of how real-world engineering systems are designed and built.

Header Image

Chassis - The robots body

The chassis is the main frame or structure that holds everything together.

In school projects, this can be:

  • A purpose-built metal or acrylic chassis
  • A 3D‑printed frame
  • A simple wooden or plastic base

What matters most is that it’s strong enough to support all components and has space for mounting wheels, motors, circuit boards, and wiring.

Teaching tip: Let students design their own chassis to encourage creativity and understanding of weight distribution.

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