World Education Robotics National Hub for Schools

Sheffield Girls' Junior School has worked with Dr Melissa Butts at the University of Sheffield to introduce robotics and robotic programming into their bespoke Fusion Curriculum and as an extra-curricular club. Two Junior school teachers have designed a teacher training programme with online planning and resources that can be adapted for a variety of curriculum based topics.  Teachers from primary schools across Sheffield are invited to Sheffield Girls to learn about the fundamentals of robotics and how to use the kit, which is then loaned to partner schools to use for a term.  

Aims

The project aimed to use Robotics and STEM activities to provide hands-on and minds-on lessons for our girls and the children from our partner schools, making Computing, Mathematics, Design Technology and Science fun and interesting so that they develop the competencies and values that are needed in the world of work without the constraints of gender or poverty bias.

By loaning the equipment and offering free outreach and CPD, we are able to ensure that schools who would otherwise be unable to afford this, can equally benefit from these opportunities.

The impact of this on the girls’ learning and development of skills has been impressive, highlighting opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving and creative, critical thinking.  The school regularly hosts local robotic competitions, and pupils have also taken part in the annual WER Challenge, with the finals being held globally online.

Background

Through a connection with Dr Melissa Butts at the University of Sheffield, the school introduced robotics and robotic programming into their bespoke Fusion Curriculum and as an extra-curricular club.  Since then, robotics, and now including micro: bits, has been fully integrated into the Infant and Junior School curriculum. 

Resources

Sheffield Girls' currently has 30 full kits of WER robots, add-on kits to build levers, gears and claws, and designated laptops with the associated programming software. 

The project is diversifying in line with developments in robotic technology to use LEGO Spike Prime robots and will have a set of LEGO Spike Prime robots available for loan by partner schools from September 2024. 

 

Impact

Partner schools engagement with the project is reviewed against the following intended outcomes of the project include:

High quality curriculum content

By providing the kits and specialist teaching, the partner school will have the opportunity to access a vital part of the STEM and ICT curriculum that they would have not have been able to access. The children will be given enrichment opportunities to compete locally, nationally and internationally which will allow them to broaden their horizons and provide opportunities on an individual level to develop their soft skills in a range of contexts.

 Academic excellence

Children will be provided with high quality teaching and learning experiences. Staff will be upskilled in this area. As a result, skills, knowledge and understanding of robotics will be improved and rates of progress accelerated. Overall, their attainment in this area will be enhanced due to a direct impact of the project.

 Individual development

The project will increase levels of self-confidence and positive attitudes to STEM through quality first teaching and engaging activities. The progressive curriculum and competitions will provide children with opportunities to be taught, develop, practice, apply and refine their soft skills. These are an integral part of the project and have to be applied when making, programming and fault fixing their robot.

 External opportunities

The school and their children will be able to access the links we have with Sheffield University and the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. They will have opportunities to see first-hand the role robotics plays in some of the largest manufacturing companies. This will be inspirational and could lead to a career in STEM related areas.

Pupil Involvement

Key stage 2 students in Years 4, 5 & 6 from 12 state maintained partner primary schools have engaged with the programme so far, with new schools joining a waiting list for training and the loan of robots each year.

Frequency

Sheffield Girls' Junior School became the first National Robotics Hub in England for World Education Robotics in 2020.  Since then 12 schools have received CPD training and the loan of a set of robots for a term.  Going forward, two schools per term can loan a set of WER robots and access CPD training and bi annual competitions.