School children from across the region will converge on the Central Coast Campus of the University of Newcastle on Friday for a day of robotic fun, learning and adventure.

The campus is hosting the region's RoboCup Junior event, where school children get hands-on experience with intelligence of the artificial kind.

Simon, from the University's School of Design, Communication, and Information Technology, said this would be the fourth time the University had hosted RoboCup Junior, and each year keeps getting more exciting.

"RoboCup Junior is designed to encourage young people to take an interest in science and technology through robotic competitions and hands-on creation," he said.

"Students are able to build their own robots and then program them to take part in different activities."

Students can test their rescue skills through RoboCup Junior Rescue, which mirrors the real-life use of robots that rescue people from life-threatening situations.

In RoboCup Junior Dance, students program their robots to dance to music.

The activities each involve a different level of complexity, so even students who've had no experience with robots will still be able to take part.

"One of the aims of RoboCup Junior is to help young people expand their social, intellectual, and problem-solving skills in a fun environment," Simon said.

"Another is to help students appreciate the role that science and technology can play in human activities at various levels.

"It's great to see the kids developing their knowledge and interest in science and robotics, and at the same time having heaps of fun."

Photo opportunity: RoboCup Junior will be held on Friday 22 June. Media are invited to attend between 10am and 12pm in Lecture Theatre 2 at the University of Newcastle, Central Coast Campus, please contact Blythe Hamilton.