Friday 6 November 2015

2015 Catholic Network Australia (CNA) Technology Workshop

The Year Six Sacred Heart Highgate students had the opportunity to participate in a technology workshop at the Newman Siena Centre. Organised by the Digital Technologies tea at CEWA, the Year Six class used the contemporary learning spaces. The students did some prior work in designing the App they wanted to create. Using MIT app inventor the students created an innovative App using this coding program. While they completed their creation, they were taken out in groups for a 3D printing session and robot coding session. Overall, it was a great day for the Year Six class and the Australian Delegates that travelled to Perth to view our Sacred Heart students in action. Below is a schedule for the day.
Thank you to Miss Claire Cooper, Mrs Gabrielle Trinca and Mr Peter Carey from the Digital Technologies Team at CEWA.








Overall focus for the day


Students will complete an individual Genius Project where they are asked to identify a need in the current app user market. Having identified that need, students will need to design an app to fill this gap using their coding skills and code.org. Students will be asked to pick a 3D shape at random (using PickMe etc), this will need to be incorporated into the logo for their app. Students will then design a 3D logo for their app to be printed using TinkerCad.

Session 1
9:00 - 11:00

9:00 - 9:30
- Introduce students to the spaces and allow them to familiarise themselves with the areas.
- Students will have the rest of the morning session to complete any research that they require for their project. Students will also begin (and finalise) their logo designs during this time, incorporating their chosen 3D shape.
- Students will be encouraged to make use of the liquid chalk markers and large Post-it pads in these final planning stages.
Groups for breakout sessions can be written on one of the windows for everyone to see.
9:30 - 10:30 (Delegates Visit 9:30 - 10:00)
- 3D Printing and Coding Break Out Sessions
- Students who are not in the break out sessions will continue with their 3D designs.
10:00 - 10:30
- Finalise designs, any students that have completed this task may begin printing.
Morning Tea 10:30 - 11:00
Session 2
11:00 - 12:30pm
11:00 - 12:30 (Delegates Visit 11:00 - 11:30)
- Students will spend this session completing the coding and creation of their apps.
- All Students will use MIT App Inventor,
11:00 - 11:30
Coding breakout session with Gabrielle (Ollie and Sphero)
Lunch 12:30 - 13:15
Session 2 Continued
13:15 - 14:00
- Students will spend this session completing the coding and creation of their apps.
- Students will again have access to the liquid chalk markers and Post-it pads.
- Google Form as reflection of project



3D Printing Break Out Session (Lead by Claire Cooper)


Three groups of 6/7 students.
45 minute break-out sessions throughout day.
Group One: 9.45-10.30am
Group Two: 11.00-11.45am
Group Three: 1.15-2pm


  • Introduction of the structure and parts of the 3D printer.
  • Exploring the tools
  • Discuss the process of printing from a teacher's perspective - sending from the computer, how we can hear the nozzle warming up - warms to etc
  • Print dimensions - (120mm wide, deep and high) - 12cm
  • Nozzle temp when printing - 260 degrees
  • Printing options
    • Solid - very dense
    • Loose
    • Hollow
    • Big hole - most regularly used, loose lattice structure
    • Shell - completely hollow
    • surface
  • Brainstorming sessions - walls and Post it pads:
    • What could we use a 3D printer for?
    • How has 3D printing changed the modern world?
    • Why is it important that students’ today are educated about the use of 3D printers?
  • Kahoot quiz on 3D printing as wrap up - 3D shapes preview quiz as a practice.


Sphero & Ollie Coding Break-Out Session (Lead by Gabrielle Trinca) 

Prior to this session:
  1. Use your school email address to create account.
  2. Enter our class ID number


Three groups of 6/7 students.
45 minute break-out sessions throughout day.
Group One: 9.45-10.30am
Group Two: 11.00-11.45am
Group Three: 1.15-2pm


  • Brief introduction to Sphero and Ollie
    - Ollie app on iPads
    - Sphero Draw and Drive app on iPads
  • Introduction to the Tykner app on iPads.
  • Work through the crash course program
    - using the drone, Sphero and Ollie as an example and an introduction to the Tynker coding program.
  • Students take notes of coding hints and movements with chalk pens on walls or on large pieces of paper made available.
  • When all levels complete, students can program either Ollie or Sphero in two small groups.
    - Create an obstacle course for the robot to achieve.
    - Obstacle course hints and reminders to be visible on walls.
  • Socrative quiz as digital exit pass at end of 45 minute session.