New robotics program set to be released across SW schools is launched

Students from a lower South West school that is the first in the region to take part in a brand-new robotics program were stars of a promotional video for the initiative shot on site recently.

Manjimup Primary School has implemented the Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA Digital Technologies Program into its curriculum from the start of Term 4 as a part of their digital technology curriculum.

Using a mix of online and offline activities, students will learn to code and navigate robots from simple instructions to detailed coded pathways.

The students will also be at the forefront of the initiative’s promotion across the State, after being chosen as stars for its educational video.

Manjimup Primary School Year 6 teacher Emma Davidson said the school and its students were proud to be at the forefront of the project’s expansion into the South West.

“It is an exciting opportunity for our students and staff,” she said.

“Preparing and upskilling our students for future opportunities is a focus not only at Manjimup Primary but throughout our network,” she said, “Students love it, they are so engaged with technology and it is great for them to have and make real-world connections.”

Talison Lithium has backed the program’s rollout, investing in kits and training across 15 South West schools over four years, including Manjimup Primary.

“This digital technologies program is curriculum-linked and provides opportunities for our local students to gain skills for the future starting in pre-primary and continuing through to their senior school years,” Mr Dawson said.

“When the opportunity arose to be a part of this exciting new program through our collaboration with other mining companies in the South West, we were pleased to contribute.”

CME digital technologies project co-ordinator Asta Morton said was excited about the program’s extension to the South West.

“As the Warren-Blackwood region transitions from native forestry, I am excited for the young people in the region to develop skills to help achieve success in a diversifying local economy,” she said.

“Integration of automation and data sciences in process and decision-making is being embraced by a variety of sectors across the globe, not just in mining and energy but also agriculture, manufacturing, health care, including education.

“Preparing WA students to be comfortable working with, and alongside, innovating technologies will be essential in their future.”