4 minute read
Empowering minds & creating innovators Year 8 Robotics at The Geelong College
KELLIE WINTERS, HEAD OF E-LEARNING
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, education is not just about consuming content but creating it. Students across the College are at the forefront of this transformation, actively engaging in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, wearables, virtual reality, and innovative problem-solving.
Design thinking and Year 8s ‘Robots to the Rescue’ elective
The design thinking process is an approach to problem-solving that encourages students to understand users, think critically, challenge assumptions, innovate, and create solutions to real-world problems.
Through the ‘Robots to the Rescue’ elective, Year 8 students explore the remarkable ways in which robots can serve as first responders.
Natural disasters occur across Australia, during this elective students investigate the way robots could assist in instances of flood, earthquake, and bushfire.
Once the students have a thorough knowledge of different disasters and how they occur, they are provided with four bushfire scenarios. These include delivering equipment, clearing debris, or rescuing survivors. Students work as a team, drawing on individual strengths to determine the best robot design, and then code their solution. Students are self-directed and get hands-on experience in building and programming their robot.
During the second half of the elective students explore robots assisting humans in a different way. Using technology called micro:bits and bit:bots students design robots capable of navigating confined spaces such as pipes.
One activity uses blue-sky thinking to explore what a future might look like where we could be transported using pipes.
Another activity requires students to use paper and pencil to design a robot that moves autonomously through a pipe to clear debris.
Skills for now and into the future
In an ever-increasing digital world understanding how to code is no longer just a skill, it’s a necessity. In conjunction with hands-on experiences, students also learn to program in Python via Grok Learning, an online self-paced program.
Students discover the power of code and how it can be harnessed to make robots intelligent and responsive, developing skills in computational thinking, logical reasoning, and the creation of algorithms.
Another essential skill developed throughout Robots to the Rescue is effective communication. Students work collaboratively with their group members, learning how to convey their ideas clearly and work as a team.
It is essential that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate a digital landscape with confidence. They also need to understand that technologies extend far beyond the classroom and are integral to our modern world and will serve them well in any career they choose.
Learning beyond the classroom
Robots to the Rescue also investigates the use of drones for tasks like search and rescue and the delivery of essential materials. It’s not just about building machines; it’s about using them in innovative ways to save lives and address real-world challenges.
The College believes in the importance of experiential learning to provide students with a taste of the real world and an excursion to Geelong Tech School is always a highlight. Here, students can engage in fast prototyping and hands-on learning guided by experienced facilitators. This not only deepens their knowledge but also connects them to the wider world of technology.
Across our technology subjects, The Geelong College is nurturing young innovators. Our Digital Technology curriculum is firmly grounded in the College’s ‘Learner Profile’ with the ‘design thinking Process’ serving as a central framework, inspiring our students to become the creators of the future.
Our technology curriculum is designed to instil creativity, problemsolving abilities, and a resilient mindset. From robots and AI, to drones and coding, our curriculum reflects the real-world application of technology.
One dimension of the Learner Profile is ‘Thinking’ where students are encouraged to be reflective and agile, which is cultivated through trial and error. Students understand that not everything works perfectly on the first try, therefore, nothing is seen as failure but an opportunity to learn, improve, and innovate.
Through the design thinking process, students can find themselves exploring uncharted territory, resulting in new discoveries and creative solutions. Having grit, determination and a resilient mindset is invaluable throughout the process.
As students embark on this educational journey, they are not just learning; they are actively creating, and that is the essence of preparing for the future. We are the launchpad for future innovators and creators.
