Year 1
We were all very excited to get our hands on our first set of resources as part of our
STEM KERRY project.
Our resources came just in time fore Science Week 2018 so the classes were delighted to get to meet Botley: Our Coding Robot, for the first time.
Beebots
Coding is a very important skill in today's world as there is an every growing dependence on technology and IT related professions. Our pupils have been introduced to basic coding using Beebots.
Computer Club loved trying out the Beebots and challenging each other with a variety of different maps and codes!
The Beebots were also usefull in Maths and Problem Solving lessons.
LEGO Wedo
WeDo is a primary education resource developed for younger primary school pupils as an introduction to control technology and programming using robotics
These are some boys from 5th and 6th Class using LEGO WeDo to design their first Robot.
Fourth and Fifth Class were the picture of concentration as they studied the instructions for designing a robot!
The boys in Computer Club used LEGO WeDo to make a Moving Fan and used their Coding Skills to set a timer to turn it on and off and even added a flashing light!
Engineers Week 2019
We were delighted to welcome Albi O' Sullivan, an engineer from Liebherr Killarney, to our school for Engineers Week 2019.
He spoke to 5th and 6th Class about his work as an engineer. They learned lots of interesting facts about the day to day duties of an engineers as well as the huge opportunites for working right across the globe.
Sixth Class
with Albi O' Sullivan, Liebherr Engineer.
Fifth Class
with Albi O' Sullivan, Liebherr Engineer.
Magformers
Second and Third Class have been busy working on our Theme of Trains this term. They really enjoyed working together to make a train which included an engine and two carriages.
They worked great as part of a team!
We were excited to try out our Second Set of Resources for Year One of our Project.
The boys couldn't wait to get stuck in!
LEGO Bingo
As well as developing their STEM knolwedge, LEGO is great for developing language and communication skills also. We have been enjoying playing LEGO Animal Bingo and extending our vocabulary and problem solving skills at the same time!
Train Trip
Miss Dickson's Second/ Third Class and Mrs Ncube's Butterfly Room have been busy for the past few months working on a STEM Project based on Trains.
They recently had a field trip to Killarney Train Station and went on a trip on the train to Tralee.
Catherine, the Station Manager, spoke to us about how the Train Station works on a day to day basis. There is a lot of coordination needed between all of the stations and drivers. She is a very busy lady as she is manager of Killarney, Farranfore and Tralee Train Stations!
Brian was a Train Driver for many years and knows everything about how they work! He answered lots of our questions about the mechanics of a train and its safety features.
Tech Week 2019
The Boys were delighted to learn all about Coding using BlueBots for Tech Week 2019.
They were investigating and using our problem-solving skills to learn how to control the Blue-Bots and navigate them through a course.
They also learned about sequencing, directional language, basic commands and programming.
Some of the boys planned their algorithm on the ipad via the Blue-Bot application and sent it remotely for the Blue-Bot to perform right in front of them.
They learned lots of new skills and are looking forward to using them again over the coming weeks!
IT Tralee
4th and 5th Class were delighted to have the opportunity to visit the IT Tralee and meet with our other cluster schools for a day of Coding!
Activities
We had the opportunity to to work in four of the college's computer labs looking at Scratch, Animation, Micro:bits and Robots.
Robotics
Micro: Bits
Animation
Scratch
College Life!
This was a wonderful experience for the boys. In addition to learning all about Robotics and coding, they also got to experience life on a college campus for the day!
We would like to thank John Walsh and everyone in the IT Tralee Computer Department for this wonderful opportunity.
Teacher Training!
Teachers attended a Summer Course on Scratch for Problem Solving and are ready to try it out next term!
