Getting creative with technology

By Nicola Ceccato

Apr 11, 2022

Innovative: Groups of Year 9 and 10 students came together to produce sustainable robots that would rely on energy sources such as solar or wind. Photo by Megan Fisher

Greater Shepparton Secondary College Year 9 and 10 students got creative with robotics and technology on Thursday, April 7, through a Yarra Ranges Tech School program.

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The students were separated into groups and given both a solar energy and energy 3D kit and asked to design homes and robots that incorporated renewable energy and were sustainable.

After creating their masterpieces, they were encouraged to pitch their ideas to the rest of the class, explaining the materials they used, why they used them and how it could apply to real life.

Yarra Ranges Tech School director Ashley Van Krieken said he was impressed with how engaged the students were and how much work they undertook in a day’s time.

“They only started at 9.10am this morning and they’re already coming up and talking about what houses they want, what they’re going to put in it and the coding,’’ Mr Van Krieken said.

“So it’s really incredible that in four hours students have been able to do this.’’

The program is a Victorian Government-funded initiative, which aims to prepare students for the ever changing future of technology and the jobs and industries that come with it.

“The idea was to get students engaged and because we link all the programs to the curriculum as well, hopefully it means that students are seeing the links between the classroom and the real world,’’ Mr Van Krieken said.

“Given the number of careers and aspects emerging in that area, it’s another aspect for students to think about.

“It’s also quite relevant in the news at the moment so we’re trying to pick stuff that students can link to their lives as well.’’