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Robotics
Robotics is an integral part of our learning at St Mary's. All students, in Years Two to Six, have the opportunity to design, build and program in Lego Robotics. This is integrated into other Key Learning Areas particularly Science and Technology.
Why Robotics?
- Science and technology are integral parts of our world today. A world that is continually undergoing rapid change.
- Robotics at school provides students with the skills and knowledge to participate in these changes while at the same time providing a practical application of the concepts introduced in Science and Technology, Mathematics and English.
- It encompasses the Key Learning Areas of Science and Technology, English, Mathematics, Human Society and Its Environment and Creative Arts and caters for a wide range of different learning styles and abilities.
- In addition, Robotics in the primary years provides girls with the entry level to a field of study heavily dominated by boys.
- Most important it provides students with the initial introduction to skills, ideas and concepts that may enable them to contribute to and make a difference to the world in the future.
The Robotics course content comprises:
- Building a basic Robot in accordance with instructions.
- Building a robot that will achieve a set goal.
- RoboLab Pilot level programming language is used initially. Progression to Inventor level is achieved when there is a clear understanding of the concepts.
- Motors and gears.
- Basic and advanced robot manoeuverability (through programming).
- Using sensors (touch and light) individually and collectively to sense environmental conditions to change the robots behaviour.
- Development of creativity.
- Videos of robots at work and play.
- Demonstration to peers, teachers and family.
The activities within Robotics lessons integrate Mathematics, Science and Technology and English. The extent to which the content of a particular subject is covered is governed by the year level of students. And the learning curve of students.
Robocup
- An independent measure of the students’ learning achievements in robotics is demonstrated by the school’s success at the Robo Cup Junior Australia (NSW) Competition over the last eight years, including 2010 where our Dance Theatre team gained second place in the NSW competition.
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