# NRC 2026 — Research Report v3
### RoboMission Rookie Primary | Age 10–12 | Robot Rockstar Mission

> **Scope:** This report is scoped exclusively to **RoboMission Rookie Primary (Sekolah Rendah)** — the state-level competition category for Tahun 4–6 students aged 10–12 using LEGO SPIKE Prime. Sections on other categories, secondary school levels, or international pathways are excluded.
>
> **Sources:** Official NRC 2026 documents — *Kertas Konsep Pertandingan Robotik Kebangsaan Tahun 2026* (BSKK/KPM) and *NRC-2026-RoboMission-Rookie-Primary Game Rules*. Developmental and pedagogical sections are synthesised analysis and are not official NRC/WRO documents.

---

## 1. Category At a Glance

| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| **Category Name** | RoboMission Rookie Sekolah Rendah |
| **Stream** | SK (Sekolah Kebangsaan) — our category. SJK is a separate category with its own ranking; same game play, but SK and SJK never compete against each other |
| **Year Level** | Tahun 4–6 |
| **Age (Eligibility)** | Born 1 Jan 2014 – 31 Dec 2016 (age 10–12 in 2026) |
| **Competition Level** | **State only** — no advancement to national or international |
| **Mission** | Robot Rockstar (Robots Meet Culture) |
| **Kit** | LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime (45678) + Expansion Set (45681) |
| **Team** | Exactly 3 students + 1 teacher mentor, same school |
| **Max per School** | 5 teams per category |
| **Registration** | Mentor only, via [nrc.sasbadi.com](https://nrc.sasbadi.com) |
| **Registration Period** | 9 March – 15 June 2026 |
| **National Final** | 23–26 September 2026, Negeri Sembilan (Rookie does not qualify) |

### Rookie vs Pro — Key Differences

| Aspect | Rookie (this team) | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Competition level | State only | State → National → WRO International |
| Pressure | Lower | Higher |
| Note positions | **Fixed every round** | Random each round |
| Colour detection required | No — fully pre-programmed routes | Yes — robot must detect note colours |
| Complexity ceiling | Lower | Significantly higher |
| Best strategy | Consistent, reliable fixed-path execution | Sensor-based adaptive routing |

**Key insight for coaching:** Being Rookie is a strategic advantage. The team can program exact routes without any colour detection logic — reliability and precision win over complexity every time.

---

## 2. The Mission: Robot Rockstar

### Field Setup

| Object | Qty | Starting Position | Fixed/Random |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cables | 2 | Near stage, upper & lower edges | Fixed |
| Guitar | 1 | In the truck, lower end | Fixed |
| Keyboard | 1 | In the truck, lower end | Fixed |
| Congas | 1 | In the truck, lower end | Fixed |
| Microphone | 1 | In the truck, lower end | Fixed |
| Notes (red, green, blue, yellow, white, black) | 6 | Upper end of field | **Fixed every round** |
| Clef (blue) | 1 | Middle-left of staff lines | Fixed — bonus object |
| Amplifier | 1 | On stage, left end | Fixed — bonus object |
| Speakers | 2 | On stage, left end | Fixed — bonus objects |

**In Rookie, ALL objects are in fixed positions every round.** The robot's full program can be hard-coded without any sensor-based decision making for object detection.

### Game Rules

| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| **Time limit** | 2 minutes per run |
| **Robot size** | Max 250 mm × 250 mm × 250 mm (cables included) |
| **Kit** | All parts must be LEGO® (SPIKE Prime, Robot Inventor, or MINDSTORMS EV3) |
| **Autonomy** | Fully autonomous — no human control during run |
| **Rounds** | 2 competition rounds; best score counts |
| **Practice rounds** | 2 practice rounds provided before competition rounds |

### Scoring (Maximum: 255 Points)

| Task | Condition | Points | Max |
|---|---|---|---|
| **1. Connect Amplifier + Speakers** | | | **30** |
| Each cable | Completely in grey area AND upright | 15 | |
| Each cable | Partly in OR not upright | 5 | |
| **2. Prepare the Show** | | | **65** |
| Microphone | Completely in target area AND upright | 20 | 20 |
| Microphone | Partly in OR not upright | 10 | |
| Each instrument × 3 | Completely in backstage area | 15 | 45 |
| **3. Play the Song** | | | **120** |
| Each note × 6 | Completely in matching colour zone AND upright | 20 | |
| Each note × 6 | Partly in OR not upright | 10 | |
| **4. Bonus** | | | **40** |
| Clef | Not damaged or moved | 10 | 10 |
| Each speaker × 2 | Not damaged or moved | 10 | 20 |
| Amplifier | Not damaged or moved | 10 | 10 |
| **MAXIMUM TOTAL** | | | **255** |

### Key Definitions
- **"Completely in"** — object is touching the target area and no other area on the mat
- **"Upright"** — object stands in its correct orientation
- **"Damaged/Moved"** (for bonus) — object is no longer in its original position or no longer upright

### ⚠️ Rule Updates & Clarifications (organizer, 5 Jun 2026)

From the official *Updates & Clarifications* document. These apply to RoboMission (Pro / Rookie / Junior), so they apply to our **Rookie** teams:

- **"Completely in" is strict** — an object scores **only** if it is touching that **one** target area **and no other area** on the mat. A note straddling a line or two zones does **not** score. Make the final placing nudge seat each object fully inside one zone.
- **Fully autonomous scoring** — every point must be earned **by the robot alone**. Any scoring helped by a human touch is **invalid → 0 points** (e.g. you may not grab the robot to stop it inside a zone). Our program is autonomous; just don't "help" it during a run.
- **End-of-match holding & the upright trap** — the robot **may** still be holding an object when time ends, **but** holding it "can lift it slightly, which fails the *upright* condition." Notes/microphone/cables only score upright. **Release notes upright and let go — don't finish a run still gripping a note.**
- **No 3D-printed wheels** — banned for **any** team. Use LEGO wheels.
- **Sensors** — only original LEGO sensors (EV3 / SPIKE Prime / MATRIX R4); third-party genuine LEGO **motors** are allowed. SPIKE Prime builds are fine.
- *Not us:* the camera / 3D-printed-element rules (Secondary only), and the Junior penalty-token system, are different categories — ignore them.

### Scoring Priority for Rookie

| Priority | Task | Points | Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notes × 6 (upright + completely in) | 120 | Fixed paths — highest payoff, pre-programmed |
| 2 | Bonus — Clef, Speakers, Amplifier untouched | 40 | Free points — just don't hit them |
| 3 | Microphone (upright + completely in) | 20 | Single object, high per-object value |
| 4 | Instruments × 3 (completely in backstage) | 45 | Push-in — no upright requirement |
| 5 | Cables × 2 (upright + completely in) | 30 | First task — closest to start, quick win |

**Notes (120 pts) + Bonus (40 pts) = 160 points.** Teams that reliably score these two blocks dominate the leaderboard.

---

## 3. LEGO SPIKE Prime — What Students Will Use

| Component | What It Does in This Mission |
|---|---|
| **Hub (6-port)** | Brain of the robot — runs the program, measures yaw (gyro) |
| **Large Angular Motor × 2** | Drive wheels (ports C and D) — precise degree counting |
| **Medium Angular Motor × 2** | Left arm (port B) and right arm (port F) — grip and release objects |
| **Colour Sensor** | Mounted facing down at port E — reads black lines and tile reflectivity for navigation |
| **Distance Sensor** | Optional — useful for approach precision near objects |

### Programming Environment
- **Scratch-based drag-and-drop** blocks — accessible for age 10–12
- No typing required; visual block stacking mirrors physical cause-and-effect thinking
- More advanced features (custom blocks, broadcasts, variables) are available within the same interface — no tool change needed as the team progresses

> ⚠️ **LEGO SPIKE Prime (45678) retires 30 June 2026.** Secure the kit from Sasbadi Learning Solutions early.

---

## 4. Understanding the 10–12 Year Old Learner

*This section is synthesised from developmental research, not official NRC/WRO documents.*

### 4.1 Cognitive Development at This Age

Children aged 10–12 are in Piaget's **concrete operational stage**, transitioning toward formal operational thinking. Practically, this means:

| Cognitive Trait | What It Means for Coaching |
|---|---|
| **Logical and sequential thinking is strong** | Step-by-step programming is natural — they think in "do this, then do that" |
| **Cause-and-effect understanding is solid** | They understand why the robot turns left when motor C is slower |
| **Abstract reasoning is still developing** | Explain PD correction with physical analogies, not equations |
| **Working memory is limited** | Break tasks into small steps — don't explain more than one new concept per session |
| **Pattern recognition is sharp** | They spot repeating structures quickly — use this for note delivery routes |

### 4.2 Attention and Engagement

| Factor | Typical Range | Coaching Response |
|---|---|---|
| **Focused attention span** | 20–30 minutes on a single task | Switch activity types every 25 minutes within each session |
| **Physical energy level** | High | Let them move — building, testing, measuring — not just watching a screen |
| **Frustration tolerance** | Low when stuck | Pre-empt with "this will take 3–4 tries" framing before they hit a wall |
| **Motivation response** | Responds strongly to visible progress | Celebrate every working sub-task, not just the full run |

### 4.3 Social Dynamics in a 3-Person Team

A team of exactly 3 students mirrors the natural social unit for this age group — small enough for clear responsibility, large enough for disagreement.

**Common team dynamics to watch:**
- One student tends to dominate the keyboard — assign roles explicitly
- Disagreements about approach ("no, do it my way") spike when the robot fails — debrief together, not one-on-one
- Quiet students disengage when the louder ones take over — ask the quiet member directly during debrief

**Recommended role structure:**

| Role | Responsibilities | Why This Works at Age 10–12 |
|---|---|---|
| **Builder** | Assemble and maintain the robot; measure distances on the mat | Hands-on, tactile — suits kinesthetic learners |
| **Programmer** | Write and modify the code blocks in the SPIKE app | Logical, focused — suits detail-oriented students |
| **Tester / Navigator** | Place the robot at start, observe each run, call out what failed | Observational — suits analytical, quieter students |

> Roles should rotate across sessions so all students understand the full build-code-test cycle.

### 4.4 Emotional State and Competition Readiness

| Challenge | Age 10–12 Response | Coaching Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| **Robot fails mid-run** | Immediate frustration, possible blame | Normalise failure: "every team's robot fails — the ones who win are the ones who fix it fastest" |
| **Competition day nerves** | Performance anxiety, forgetting steps | Muscle memory from repeated practice; have a written startup checklist |
| **Peer comparison at venue** | Intimidation from seeing other robots | Focus on own score vs personal best, not vs other teams |
| **Time pressure in 2 minutes** | Rush → mistakes | Train under time conditions from Session 3 onward |
| **Surprise rule changes** | Panic, freezing | Session 4 includes a deliberate surprise drill to build adaptability |

---

## 5. What Makes This Mission Work for This Age Group

### 5.1 Why the Theme Clicks

The "Robot Rockstar" mission connects to primary-level learners because:

- **Music is universal** — every 10–12 year old knows what a guitar, microphone, and concert stage are
- **Visual, physical goal** — moving an instrument from a truck to a stage is immediately understandable without explanation
- **Story-driven** — young learners engage far better with narrative ("your robot is the stage crew!") than abstract task descriptions
- **Malaysian cultural bridge** — coaches can extend the theme to traditional Malaysian instruments: kompang, rebana, angklung, sape, or gamelan — making the WRO theme personally meaningful

### 5.2 Difficulty Calibration

| Element | Why It's Accessible | Why It's Still Challenging |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed object positions | No need to code colour detection — routes are fully pre-programmed | Precise measurements still required — 5 mm off misses the zone |
| Scratch-based code | Drag-and-drop; no syntax errors | PD correction logic requires understanding variables and loops |
| Short time limit | 2 minutes keeps energy high | Every second counts — route optimisation matters |
| Bonus objects | 40 free points just for careful navigation | Requires discipline — no aggressive speeds near bonus objects |
| 2 practice rounds at venue | Reduces competition anxiety | Students must be willing to fix issues fast under pressure |

### 5.3 Learning Outcomes Aligned to NRC Objectives

| NRC Official Objective | How This Mission Delivers It for Age 10–12 |
|---|---|
| Logical & systematic thinking | Programming sequential task chains (broadcast events) |
| STEM & ICT strengthening | Hands-on engineering + Scratch coding + sensor physics |
| Higher-order thinking (KBAT) | Optimising routes, debugging errors, adapting to surprise rules |
| Teamwork | Three distinct roles, shared ownership of the final run |

---

## 6. Competition Day: What to Expect

### State Competition Day Programme (Tentative)

| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:00 – 8:45 am | Team registration |
| 8:45 – 9:00 am | Technical briefing |
| 9:00 – 11:00 am | Practice Round I |
| 11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Competition Round I |
| 12:30 – 1:30 pm | Practice Round II |
| 1:30 – 2:30 pm | Break |
| 2:30 – 4:00 pm | Competition Round II |
| 4:30 – 5:30 pm | Closing ceremony & prize giving |

### What 10–12 Year Olds Need on Competition Day

**Before leaving school:**
- [ ] Final program saved on the SPIKE hub
- [ ] Program backed up on a laptop/device
- [ ] Robot fully packed with all pieces; hub cable included
- [ ] Starting position on mat memorised
- [ ] Each student knows their role: who places the robot, who presses start, who observes

**At the venue — managing the children:**
- Arrive early — registration rush causes anxiety
- Let students handle their own robot from the moment they sit down — builds ownership
- During practice rounds: one issue → one fix only → test → move on
- Brief the team before competition round: "calm, place the robot exactly at the line, press start, step back"
- After each run: score together as a team — make it analytical, not emotional

### Prize Structure (Top 5 Teams)

| Placing | Award |
|---|---|
| 1st (Johan) | 1 plaque + 4 gold medals + 4 achievement certificates |
| 2nd (Naib Johan) | 1 plaque + 4 silver medals + 4 achievement certificates |
| 3rd | 1 plaque + 4 bronze medals + 4 achievement certificates |
| 4th | 1 plaque + 4 achievement certificates |
| 5th | 1 plaque + 4 achievement certificates |
| All participants | Participation certificate (students) + appreciation certificate (mentor) |

---

## 7. Realistic Score Benchmarks

Use these as targets to track team progress across coaching sessions.

| Level | Description | Approximate Score |
|---|---|---|
| **Beginner** | Cables only, some instruments | 30–60 pts |
| **Developing** | Cables + all instruments + microphone | 90–120 pts |
| **Competitive** | Above + 3–4 notes delivered to correct zones | 150–190 pts |
| **Strong** | All objects scored; some notes not fully upright | 200–230 pts |
| **Competition-ready** | Full clean run; all objects upright and in zone | 215–255 pts |

Target for this team after 4 coaching sessions (8 hours): **150–200 pts minimum**, with a realistic peak of **230+ pts** on a clean run.

---

## 8. Common Mistakes at This Age Group

| Mistake | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Robot drifts off course | Not using gyro correction | Implement GyroStraight from Session 2 onward |
| Arms open/close too fast | No wait after arm command | Add `Wait 0.5s` after every arm broadcast |
| Note misses the target zone | Measurement error or accumulated drift | Reset yaw before every long segment; re-measure carefully |
| Robot knocks bonus objects | Speed too high near stage | Reduce speed to 35–50% within 30 cm of bonus objects |
| Program runs fine but cables not upright | Arm close force incorrect | Adjust grip depth — use tighter Close variants |
| Students can't explain what the robot does | Only programmer understands the code | Roles rotate; all students must explain one task each |
| Performance degrades on competition day | Anxiety + floor surface differences | Practice on competition-day conditions; re-calibrate on the practice mat at venue |

---

## 9. Cost

### Registration
No registration fee. NRC is government-organised (BSKK/KPM). Mentor registers online via [nrc.sasbadi.com](https://nrc.sasbadi.com). Participation is free.

### Official Kit

All electronics must carry the **Sasbadi Hologram Sticker** to be eligible.

| Item | Set No. | Required | Est. Price (RM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEGO SPIKE Prime Set | 45678 | Yes | ~RM 1,800–2,000 |
| LEGO SPIKE Prime Expansion Set | 45681 | Yes | ~RM 700–800 |
| WRO Brick Sets (game field) | 45811 / 45819 | Provided by organiser | — |
| **Estimated Total** | | | **~RM 2,500–2,800** |

**Schools that already own SPIKE Prime from a previous season do not need to repurchase.**

> Confirm pricing with **Sasbadi Learning Solutions Sdn. Bhd.**
> - Email: `lego@sasbadi.com` | Tel: `+603-6145 1029`
> - Web: [sasbadilearning.com](https://sasbadilearning.com)

---

## 10. Key Resources

| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| NRC Malaysia Official Site | [nrc.sasbadi.com](https://nrc.sasbadi.com) |
| NRC Official Telegram | [t.me/nrc_malaysia](https://t.me/nrc_malaysia) |
| WRO 2026 Season Page | [wro-association.org/competition/2026-season](https://wro-association.org/competition/2026-season/) |
| WRO 2026 Elementary Guide Video | [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cmGcV_NbCg) |
| LEGO SPIKE Education Portal | [spike.legoeducation.com](https://spike.legoeducation.com) |
| NRC 2026 Drive Materials | [Google Drive](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Mca5MWPEEh7OUBdryb8BtY8v_Um1IVUC) |

---

## 11. Summary

RoboMission Rookie Primary is an **ideal first competition** for 10–12 year old students. The fixed-position rule removes the hardest programming challenge (colour detection and adaptive routing) while still demanding real engineering skill: precise measurement, consistent navigation, and reliable gripper mechanics.

**What wins in Rookie Primary:**
1. A robot that drives straight (gyro correction from Session 2)
2. Clean gripper mechanics that deliver objects upright (arm position tuning)
3. Careful routes that protect the 40-point bonus objects
4. Six pre-programmed note routes that consistently hit the correct colour zones

**What loses in Rookie Primary:**
1. Over-engineered solutions that break under competition conditions
2. Teams that only one student understands
3. Programs that were never tested under 2-minute time pressure
4. Robots that knock bonus objects trying to be fast

The team that measures carefully, tests repeatedly, and stays calm on competition day wins. Eight hours of focused coaching is sufficient to get a team of 10–12 year olds to a competitive score.

---

*Research v3 — compiled May 2026*
*Primary sources: Kertas Konsep Pertandingan Robotik Kebangsaan Tahun 2026 (BSKK/KPM × Sasbadi); NRC-2026-RoboMission-Primary Game Rules; NRC-2026-RoboMission-General-Rules-Final (WRO Malaysia)*
*Developmental sections: synthesised analysis — not official NRC/WRO documents*