Tech Education at Columbia Lake
Technology is more ingrained in society today than it ever has before. We are the generations of the fourth industrial revolution, a revolution the combines technological, digital, biological and physical realms to create a rapidly evolving world.
The demand for people who understand the inner-workings of Internet of Things (IoT), software design, cybersecurity, blockchain, cloud computing, and other technological fields is growing exponentially with no sign of stopping. As career demands change, so do the needs of students within our communities. Education must shift to accommodate the new job-market and provide opportunities for students that allow them to explore these fields. The earlier that technology is incorporated into students’ education, the more prepared they will be for further education or the workforce. Technology is important for work training as well as developing softer skills such as problem solving, bravery, creativity and resilience that can be used throughout their entire lives.
A great example of a school that is incorporating technology into the students’ daily learning is Martin Morigeau Elementary School (MMES) in Canal Flats, British Columbia.
Canal Flats is a community in rural British Columbia that is becoming increasingly invested in the technology sector. With the start of Columbia Lake Technology Center, the community has been able to become involved in the ever-evolving world of technology. Columbia Lake Tech Center is helping Martin Morigeau Elementary School grow their already existing technology education through the donation of a number of iPads and Spheros.
Spheros are small spherical robots that can be controlled by an iPad using Bluetooth SMART to determine speed and direction.
MMES has been using Spheros in various classes throughout the year. One example is in woodshop the students create obstacle courses for the Spheros to drive through. Later, the students program their Spheros and race through the obstacle courses. Another way that the Spheros are being used is by the SETBC Sphero Challenge. The students try to complete challenges, including but limited to, long jump, speed races, and fancy maneuvers, by writing code for the Spheros.
The activities with the Spheros are organized by teacher Karl Sindholt. He also encourages students to learn Scratch. Scratch is an easy-to-learn programming tool and coding language that can be used to create games and animations.
Scratch is a free programming language and online community developed by the MIT Media Lab where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations.
During the spring, coding became more present at MMES. Columbia Lake Technology Center partnered with principal Alyssan Gauthier and teacher Jennifer Habart to run a program through Girls Who Code. This program teaches girls a variety of coding languages, while creating a project that focuses on bettering our world.
The girls decided to focus their project on animal care. Check out all their hard work and find out more!
