Awesome Automatons!

TechMate Evening Term 2 challenged our participants to design and make an automaton. The girls, along with their significant male, planned, sorted materials and started to build. Often discovering the original design not possible or incorrectly functioning, they made changes and adaptations. At the start of the evening I spoke about the work of Michael Fullan and the skills our students need now and in the future.

TechMate provides an evening where so many of these future skills are used. Our girls need to think critically, problem-solve, work together and communicate ideas and solutions. They work hard to discuss and connect with others over resources, being understanding of needs and space of others and being innovative and creative in their artefact creations.

The automatons were a delight to watch with the frequent ‘aaaww’ and ‘aaarr’! A paddling boat, rocket taking off, chickens appearing, parachute landing, carousel, surfing snowman, boxing kangaroos, bird-teasing worm and so many more….

TechMate is a fabulous evening once a term and enjoyed by all involved!

 

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Jackie Child
Jackie Child has been teaching primary aged students for 40 years in a number of countries. She is passionate about how children learn through constructivist pedagogy. She is a Teacher Librarian at St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School and a sessional tutor at Griffith University for pre-service teachers. Jackie doesn’t believe in standing still, there is always plenty to ‘do’ and learn!

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