Robotics 

Robotics Excursion

As part of the Victorian High Abilities Program Thursday 5th May, 19 students from Year 9 and 10 travelled to Swinburne University to take part in a robotics challenge. Students began the day learning how robotics are being used to keep up with production and supply, particularly in getting our online shopping delivered to our doors.

They then collaborated to code robots to pick up and move boxes around. Students needed to utilise motorised arms and cameras and determine the correct angles to program the robot to collect the boxes.

After a quick break at the university canteen, students returned to play with humanoid robots that could dance, do pushups, and even attempt somersaults. The day finished up with flying drones. The students were able to code the drones to fly around the room without any other input or someone to control them.

Jordyn Croft

Instructional Practice Leader

Today I had the opportunity to take part in the robotics excursion at the Swinburne university of technology in Wantirna. We started out the day with coding the EZ robots called roli. We were able to build on some coding skills by using the camera/ sensor on the robot to pick up and throw a coloured block. Later, we had the opportunity to have even more fun and have some laughs making another EZ robot dance. It was super cool how we could control them and experiment with the codes and movements. We even got to experience coding with drones and were able to fly these mini drones using a coding app. Overall the experience was great fun and most importantly also educational and 100 percent beneficial. It gave us an opportunity to get our hands on some unique resources and learning many new things in the process. 

Zoe Smith, Year 10

Students attended the Robotics Excursion as part of the Taylors Lakes Secondary College collaboration with the Department of Education Victorian Challenge and Enrichment Series VCES. Taylors Lakes is frequently offering opportunities to Highly Able students to extend their skill development in all areas across the curriculum. 

Teachers such as Jordyn Croft who elected to take the group to Swinburne University, support these programs and benefit from these professional learning opportunities. (Thank you Jordyn)

Parents and Students are strongly encouraged to keep checking Compass for upcoming opportunities in Term 3 and 4. Staff actively nominated students for these programs and as a result we have had over 200 hundred students enjoy programs that challenge and extend student learning.

For further enquiries, please contact Elizabeth Green

Instructional Practice Leader.

Elizabeth.Green@education.vic.gov.au