Art & Technology

Year 8 KIOSC

This week, Year 8 classes have attended the Knox Innovation Opportunity & Sustainability Centre (KIOSC) at Swinburne Wantirna to participate in Technology and Engineering based workshops. Students participated in two lessons across the day exploring the world of laser cutting and programming. 

Laser Cutting

In the laser cutting activity, students explored principles of laser cutting and engraving through the design of their ‘Retro Tech’ arcade. Students were tasked with building a 2-in-1 retro arcade, a replica of ‘bean bag toss’ otherwise known as ‘Cornhole’ in America, and a basketball shooting game. This was first drawn up by students using xTool, a program that enables users to bring their design ideas to life through the laser cutter.  It was great to see students develop their designs, with each having a unique personal flavour. 

Once completed, students then took their designs to one of the six laser cutters available at KIOSC and watched them come to life as the laser cutter promptly cut out their designs. Within a few minutes, they were able to begin constructing their mini arcade. It was fantastic to see student creativity and engagement throughout the process.

Programming

In the second session, students explored the world of scratch programming using microbits, which are small programmable circuit boards that have an array of uses. 

Students were taught how to program a servo motor through block-based coding using alligator clips and conductors, which lead to them creating a ‘golf course’ where they had to plan out a course (including obstacles). 

Students then placed the servo motors in a way to try and achieve a hole in one. It was exciting to see students use their problem-solving abilities and their creativity when it came to designing their course. 

We hope students came away from their Tech experience inspired by the possibilities on offer and look towards choosing many of the Tech based electives we provide in Year 9; as part of the Visual Art and Technology learning area.

Benn Pollock

Leader of Visual Arts & Technology