Magazine 2020

63 2020 | Edition No. 23 | PREPARATORY Justine deWet and Nikki Niemand Robotics and coding develop skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration and computational thinking skills. These skills are used in all areas of learning and development throughout the cur- riculum. Robotics across the Preparatory Faculty focuses on develop- ing these skills through integration in all subject areas. Although 2020 saw the many changes taking place in all aspects of schooling, the Prep learners have continued to benefit from Robotics and Coding lessons throughout this time. During the lockdown of 2020 the learners took time to develop and focus on their coding. In the Junior Prep hands on and screen free world coding lessons helped learners to develop skills such as following instructions, spatial awareness and breaking down large problems into smaller more manageable segments. The Grade 1s enjoyed activities such as making Lego mazes, following instructions to dance and origami. Once learners re- turned to the classroom they were able to code using our iPads and various age appropriate coding apps. Grade 2 explored the coding app ScratchJr. which allowed them to use block coding to create actors playing Golf games; dancing the Ho- key Pokey and Catch games. ScratchJr. allowed the Grade 2s to explore concepts such as speed, messaging, time and many other coding concepts. As part of integra- tion into the curriculum, learners coded letters to play their letter sound and looked at the beginning, middle and end of stories while creating coded interactive stories in the app. Tynker coding is a Python based coding App that allows the learners to explore various coding aspects which can later be used to build games, make websites, control toys and create Apps. The Grade 3 and 4 learn- ers excitedly completed various tasks such as animating cards, making game controllers and even a digital piano which can play music. This year also saw the launch of Swift Coding in both grades 5 and 6. This fun app uses a game interface to teach learners the Swift(xCode) programming language. Through various games learners have been able to work with commands, functions, loops, conditionals and many more concepts. This has given the learners a good understanding and footing of coding should they wish to develop their skills further in the Secondary Faculty. Our Senior Prep Robotics Teams have continually met and worked on the World Robotics Olympiad challenges. During the lockdown teams met regularly using Google Meets to discuss the challenges and build virtual robots using various platforms such as VRT, Studio 2.0 and Lego Digital Designer. This opened up new paths in the virtual Robotics world for the teams. Once back on campus the teams took turns to use the lab to allow them to once again explore the Ev3 ro- bots, challenges and coding principles that are needed to compete in WRO competitions. This has been a year of learning, growing and encouraging critical thinking. We look forward to what 2021 holds for us.