The new computing curriculum has shifted the focus towards programming, coding and computer science and with that in mind Carl Taylor, the computing subject leader at St Clement Danes, has introduced three Meccanoid G15 KS robots into his lessons.
“Using the robots’ learned intelligent movement (LIM) system and a mobile app, we can show how they can be programmed in order to carry out a repetitive action,” said Mr Taylor. “It also develops the idea of computational thinking and algorithms. For example, there is a need to produce a set of accurate instructions in the correct order or they won’t produce the result you expect.”
The first two robots are already being used in computing and design classes while the third is currently being built by members of the school’s technology club.
Year 13 psychology students will use the robots to explore “independent versus pre-determined actions” as part of their
A level course.
The robots, which are about four feet high and cost around £350, were funded by the school’s Parents’ Association, with the aim of engaging pupils, enhancing their learning experience and encouraging them to think about careers in computing, science, technology, engineering and maths.
The robots have received an enthusiastic welcome from students: “I liked it when the robots danced and high-fived people,” said a year 7 pupil, while another admired the way the robots were able to mirror his own actions.
Meccano spokesperson Emma Eden told SecEd: “St Clement Danes is the first school we are aware of that is proactively using the Meccanoid within the teaching environment.”