Well. We have lots to tell you so hope you’re sitting comfortably!

 

On September the 10^th and 11^th we were in St Josephs with the robots! We trialled a new activity with the iPads called “Fix the factory” – the pupils were completing the levels quicker than me! It taught them the need for precise instructions and on the harder levels it taught them the importance of building up the code step by step which something we put into practise as a class with getting TechnoWall-E around the maze and using TechnoPups sensors.

 

 

We were then down in St Michaels on the 17^th and 18^th with TechnoWall-E and TechnoPup in tow where we learnt about if statements and saw some very scary zombies walking around the hall and a very groovy robot disco!  This was sadly Beth’s last session before she officially handed TechnoWall-E over to me. The pupils were awesome and really engaged with the robots – it was a lovely end to a fantastic year for Beth.

 

On the 29^th of September TechnoWall-E and I were out visiting year 6 in Glyncollen, Swansea. The children really loved TechnoWall-E. We crashed him into the maze, but luckily they were on task and TechnoWall-E was programmed through the maze in no time and made it out in one piece!

Before we knew it, we were in October and out on the 2^nd back in Glyncollen doing the unplugged session with a very excited year 5! We learnt about binary, and the importance of giving precise instructions by blindfolding half the class whilst the others programmed their partner to move around the maze. What they have learnt in this workshop will be put into practice later in November when TechnoWall-E and I go back.

 

On the 3^rd we were in Pentre’r Graig with year 6 who loved working with TechnoWall-E and TechnoPup made a very quick appearance. The pupils worked hard in teams deciding the best way to get TechnoWall-E through the maze. Both classes got him through the maze in record time.

 

On the 6^th I was out in Whitestone Primary. TechnoWall-E loved showing off all the different things he can do like using his colour sensor to get around a track! TechnoWall-E made a few mistakes trying to find the different colours but we had a great discussion about why this might me. TechnoWall-E was also thrilled to hear Whitestone were looking into getting their very own TechnoWall-E!

 

On the 8^th TechnoWall-E was out on show in Bryncethin Primar for year 5 and 6. They loved learning all about how we program TechnoWall-E to move and how he uses his sensors. They managed to build a very complicated track for TechnoWall-E to go around which he managed to go around in one go!

 

On the 9^th TechnoWall-E and TechnoPup were introduced to year 5 and 6 Tondu Primary School pupils who worked really hard to get TechnoWall-E through the maze. They spent time becoming robots themselves as they learnt about loops and if statements.

 

On the 13^th TechnoWall-E, TechnoPup and myself started our 6 day workshop marathon in Cwmclydach primary school with year 6 and year 5. The pupils loved working with TechnoWall-E who taught them how robots work and what you need to do to make them move! TechnoWall-E was really pleased to hear the school have invested in the LEGO Mindstorm NXT sets and had them up and running doing some amazing things!

On the 14^th we were in Penclawdd primary, the pupils were masters of Fix the Factory app which made them experts at robotics by the time we were ready to program TechnoWall-E through the maze. TechnoWall-E and I saw some lovely Swansea views on our way and way back. We are heading back in December so we much remember to take our camera!

On the 15^th we were out in Pen Y Fro primary school with year 5 and 6 who spent their time being very precise with their instructions to TechnoWall-E. Their persistence paid off as they cheered TechnoWall-E through the maze!

 

On the 16^th we travelled up to Seaview primary in Swansea where TechnoWall-E got the chance to teach year 6 and year 3 all about the world of robotics. Year 6 learnt all about sensors and why it’s important for our robots to have them. TechnoWall-E had the year 3 pupils getting him through the maze!

 

 

On the 17^th we took a day trip to Ynysfach primary school in Neath. TechnoWall-E spent the day showing the pupils everything robots can do. He showed them that it’s not always easy to program robots, but once the pupils were used to how TechnoWall-E moved they got him flying through the maze!

 

On the 18^th TechnoPup finally retired and gave TechnoWall-E full responsibly for teaching the children all about how cool robotics are! TechnoPup has had great fun out in the schools but it’s time for him to retire.

 

Yesterday, the 20^th TechnoWall-E and I were in Glais primary with year 5 and 6 who were robotic experts by the end of the session! They had TechnoWall-E in and through the maze before we knew it. The pupils also got the chance to be turned into robots as they acted out if statements and loops!

 

 

It has been a exciting month visiting all different schools with the robots and we have a very busy month in November with our robotics workshop as well as our brand new workshop called “How Computers Work” which we hope is going to be a success with all the schools!

 

For now, Wall-E is chilling out in the office charging his batteries before heading out tomorrow in Todu Primary School.