project spark engaging young minds for brighter...

PROJECT SPARKengaging young minds for brighter futures

Mandy MareeAdvanced Skills Teacher

Brighton Primary School, Tasmania

Brighton Primary School Context

Index of Community Socio-Educational AdvantageSchool ICSEA value 917Average ICSEA value 1000

= PROJECT SPARK

+ +

Aims

Increased student engagement

Clear, logical thinking

Support understanding of key curriculum concepts through integrated use of the robots

Development of key learning assets

problem solving

collaboration

resilience

persistence

Program Integration

Project SPARKInquiry Robotics

Program Structure

Prep/Grade 1Blue-Bots

Grade 1/2Ozobots

Grade 3/4Lego WeDo 2.0

Grade 5/6Lego EV3

Program Implementation

Grade 1 / 2

Investigating force using OzoBots

How effectively did PROJECT SPARK improve the engagement of some of our most disengaged students?

In the class setting BEFOREimplementation

During PROJECT SPARK

activities

Disengaged Engaged

In the class setting AFTER implementation

It has also allowed them to develop greater leadership, collaboration

and problem solving skills

How did parents, carers and community members benefit from PROJECT SPARK?

We also invited parents

in to participate in a

project

How did teachers benefit from PROJECT SPARK?

“It has been great to see the

collaboration between

students when working with

the robots as well as the use

of critical and creative

thinking.”

I have become more aware of using digital

technologies in class and using them to

increase student engagement and as

motivation for learning new skills. It was

great to see the enjoyment and learning that

took place last year when we did the Hour of

Code computer activities. I'm sure I learnt

just as much as the students about coding

It has been a useful tool to allow

student to work collaboratively to

solve problems as well as to do

something in the room which does

not always involve writing and reading

Thank you