The CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program is a valuable initiative that supports teachers by connecting schools with industry experts. We are fortunate to have the expertise and guidance of Justin Ramsey, a radio frequency engineer working with L3Harris Technologies.
Justin dedicated his time to collaborate with some of our Year 6 girls who are currently engaged in designing and prototyping machines for enhancing various aspects of agriculture as part of their Technology Unit. In their designs, they require a DC motor to drive the machines, which will be connected to a Micro:Bit. The Micro:Bit needs to be programmed to control the speed and direction of the DC motor.
During the session, Justin adeptly demonstrated the step-by-step process of setting up the circuit, which included power supply, motor control (H-bridge), the DC motor itself, and the Micro:Bit. He also guided the students through the coding necessary to monitor and control the speed and direction of the DC motor effectively.
In small groups, the students had hands-on experience exploring the circuit and manipulating various components to change the direction and speed of the motor. Justin’s engaging approach and insightful sharing of knowledge made the learning experience highly enjoyable and enriching for the girls.
The collaboration with the CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program has been immensely beneficial in exposing our students to the practical relevance of STEM in everyday life. The exciting and memorable hands-on activities with experts like Justin help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, igniting a passion for further exploration in these fields.
