Robotics and Coding at Avon Maitland
Representatives from Milverton Public School were on hand to give the Board a robotic experience.
Leading the interactive demonstration were students Ben Carter, Isabella Ellis, Edwin Manning-Faber, Natalee Phelan and Natash Sider along with staff members Steve Rueffer and David Brown.
“Coding and robotics education is simply all about problem-solving. We pinpoint the problem then we figure how we can make the computer do what we want it to do”, states teacher Steve Rueffer.
Also on hand was Jason Carter from D&D Automation (Stratford).
Carter spoke of the intense youth and technology focus at D&D Automation and highlighted their technology camps and Battle of the Bots event.
Vince Trocchi System Principal of Technology and Student Success gave special thanks to Jason Carter and his employer.
“Our partnership with D&D Automation is phenomenal”, states Trocchi. “It’s always a kind, genuine and inspiring experience every time we enter their building.”
After the huge success of last year’s first D&D Automation’s Battle of the Bots event, Avon Maitland Schools, including these teams from Milverton Public School, are returning to the D&D arena this week.
The competition involves groups of students building and programming a lego robot to undergo various challenges. The robots – which were all built by the teams prior to the event- are autonomous and operate via sensor and CPU. Due to the nature of each specific challenge, the physical design of the robot must be taken into careful consideration.
This year D&D sent the teams a series of mini test trials, each one providing hints at what the final the final challenge might be. “They will be quite difficult”, says Jason Carter of D&D automation. “It would be highly unlikely for a team to achieve a perfect score; but the goal for the event is to promote critical thinking and collaboration.”
D&D Automation staff provide the teams with an array of support leading up to the competition. They host a blog on their websites that allows teams to submit questions and to interact with students from other schools. They have also made staff available for hands-on assistance at their school should any problems arise.
30 schools are set to participate in Battle of the Bots which will be held at D&D Automation in Stratford on November 22nd and 23rd.
Avon Maitland wishes to acknowledge the support of the Ministry of Education’s Core Robotics Project that helps fuel our coding and robotics learning.
Good News
Awards Night
Exceptional staff and students at AMDSB were acknowledged by manufacturers, entrepreneurs and the Ministry of Education at the Huron Manufacturing Association’s annual awards ceremony last week.
AMDSB student Nic Zwep won the First Annual SHSM Apprenticeship Award ($1,000).
AMDSB teacher Terry Zachary (CHSS) won the Tech Ed Teacher of the Year Award.
AMDSB students won all three Apprenticeship Awards ($1,000 each). Congratulations to:
- Alexis Edward
- Jeffery Plaetzer
- Murray Dale
AMDSB students Ryan Edward-Kiss and Tristan Rhodes from CHSS were also recognized for their work in rebuilding the new HMA website.
The Ministry of Education’s Sudeshna Dutta (Student Success Education Officer) presented the Apprenticeship Awards and then took a moment to point out to the crowd that AMDSB has approximately a 60% Technical Education (Tech Ed) footprint compared to the rest of the province at 40%. She praised AMDSB, Jeff Piro and Ken Bailey for the strong and significant work to promote Tech Ed and Specialist High Skills Major programs (SHSM) and for their ongoing engagement with community partners such as Huron Manufacturing Association (HMA).
Foundation Gala Auction
The Foundation for Education’s Gala Auction last week raised $30,000. The proceeds will make certain that 100’s of crucial hands-on opportunities continue to enrich over 5000 students in the Avon Maitland district throughout year.
Since 1989 the Foundation for Education has provided a wide variety of arts and life skill workshops that bring unique experiences to local kids. These exceptional hands-on experiences with professionals introduce students to richer ways of living and learning. Funding for these enrichment opportunities comes solely from fundraising efforts.
For more information on the Foundation, please visit their website or their Facebook Page.
Alice Munro Meets Her Library
Quietly and without hoopla, Trustee Chair Colleen Schenk met up with internationally acclaimed author Alice Munro at Maitland River Elementary School to introduce the library that was named in her honour. Please see the full story.
Audit Committee Activities Report for 2015/2016
This report summarizes the Audit Committee’s actions for the year ending August 31, 2016.
October 31st Enrolment Update
Student enrolment estimates are developed based on student registration, course selection information, school administrator input and enrolment trend analysis. Student enrolment is the basis for staff complement and for Ministry of Education (Ministry) grant purposes.
Based on the most recent numbers, Avon Maitland’s elementary enrolment has increased significantly from the original estimates and, for the first time in many years, has increased from the prior year. Secondary enrolment has increased somewhat from the original estimates, although continues to be a decrease from the prior year.
Please see the full report.
Future Board Meetings
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- Tuesday, November 22, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole – Open Session, 7:30 p.m. Student Senators and Trustees, 8:00 p.m. Regular Board Session
- Tuesday, December 6, 2016 – 6:00 p.m. Committee of the Whole, Open Session, 8:00 p.m. Inaugural/Regular Board Session
Future Meetings/Events with Trustee Representation
(at Education Centre unless otherwise noted)
- SAL: Tuesday, November 22, 2016 – 9:00 a.m.
- SEAC: Wednesday, December 7, 2016 – 4:00 p.m.
- AODA: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 – 4:00 p.m.