TS-9.3

55 “It could sense if a person had fallen” In 2018, four of our students won in the ‘Internet of Things’ category at the Apps for Good Awards with their SafeStep project. The students’ research had showed that a common cause of falls was getting up at night to use the bathroom, so they designed a 'smart' bedside mat that would respond to pressure and switch on lights. It could also sense if a person had fallen and automatically contact emergency services or a relative. For their proof of concept prototype they built a scale model house using dolls' furniture, Barbie dolls and a BBC micro:bit. They group also designed a separate SafeStep bath mat and front doormat to track the comings and goings of people with dementia. Paul Gallanagh, principal teacher of business and computing, Dunoon Grammar School, Argyll and Bute “Computing is about so much more than coding” We have a moral responsibility to ensure all students have purposeful engagement with computing during their time at school, even if they opt not to study the subject beyond KS3. Computing is about so much more than coding – it’s about breeding an intellectual curiosity about the way things work, developing the ability to decompose problems and understanding the algorithms needed to make a system functional. We’re arming our children to adapt to emerging technologies which haven't even been dreamed of yet. James Searle, Specialist SLE for computer science at the Chiltern LearningTrust “It’s Robot Wars with a difference” Imagine a big arena with crash barriers, bright lights, and an enthusiastic commentator. The audience are clapping, cheering or groaning, and joining in the countdowns at the fin al of the annual Stu dent Robotics tournament (studentrobotics.org ). It’s Robot Wars wit h a difference – the r obots don't fight each other, and there are no remote controls. Instead, the robots are fitted with webcams that respond to QR-type codes positioned around the arena. The bouts last two to three minutes and see the robots pick up, move and stack cubes. Some have a special feature, such as a catapult, which lends a certain ‘wow factor’, while other robots get confused and run amok... Matt Arnold, computer science and maths teacher, Barton Peveril Sixth FormCollege teachwire.net/secondary TEACH SECONDARY SPECIAL COMPUTING “They wanted to make people more aware of the embarrassment girls experience” Four of our Y8 girls won in the ‘Rising Stars’ category at the Apps for Good 2019 Awards for an app called Ovary Acting, aimed at removing the taboo surrounding periods. They wanted to make people more aware of the costs, inconvenience and embarrassment that girls experience, and provide information on where to buy eco-friendly pads and tampons. They had to negotiate a topic, research the competition, identify a USP and develop a prototype using AppShed. Along the way, they learnt project management skills and how to delegate, communicate and collaborate. The project also introduced them to professionals within the computer industry and a range of other experts. Apps for Good enables them to see that computer science isn’t ‘just’ a curriculum area, but a vital aspect of the modern world. Saphina Siddiq,Teacher of Computer Science and Electronics,Woodford CountyHigh School “Students love problem-solving” When it comes to teaching more complex STEM topics, such as coding and robotics, practical projects that enable students to learn through play are key. Students love pro blem-solving , and resources such as the DFRobot ( dfrobot.co m) science kit and micro:bit accessories give them vital hands-on experience. Pupils can test the technology themselves, while building up their STEM knowledge and creative skills in the process. It’s also great for encouraging independent working and knowledge sharing with peers. Jennifer Morgan, STEM coordinator, Brentwood County High School “Make the students all give the one in the middle their sweet” Take one bag of sweets and pass it along a line of students – you can all but guarantee that one student will drop it, and that at least one other (more cheekily) will eat its contents! Repeat the activity, but now make the students stand in a circle with one of their peers in the middle. Make the students all give the person in the middle their sweet, but stop them just in time – if the class were to do this all at once, the student in the middle will most likely start dropping sweets. But if you get the students to swap the sweet they’re holding with anyone else’s in class all at the same time, there will likely be no sweets dropped at all. There – you've just demonstrated a basic Bus, Star and Mesh network, and the students will love you for giving them sweets! Helen Brant, head of computer science/ICT&Media, Co-opAcademy Priesthorpe, Pudsey