On August 9th, teachers from 18 schools in the Newcastle LGA received StarLAB Mars Rover Kits and training as part of their participation in RDA Hunter’s miniME Project.
Built in the Hunter by miniME technology partner, Obelisk Systems, StarLAB Mars Rovers form the basis of the program which introduces primary school students in the Newcastle LGA to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). miniME aims to inspire students in years 5 and 6 to continue studying STEM throughout their education.
The StarLAB Mars Rover is a coding platform that helps schools teach coding and stem in the classroom. The technology can be used as a wireless datalogger using out-senses apps and can be programmed by students using Scratch and Python, which students also learn as part of miniME.
miniME is being undertaken by RDA Hunter in partnership with Newcastle City Council (NCC) as part of its Smart Move Newcastle project which received grant funding from the Australian Government through its Smart Cities and Suburbs program. In addition to the $5 million Federal contribution, NCC together with partners will contribute $10 million towards 21 pilot projects that will be completed across the city over the next year.
Participating schools in 2018/19 include: Newcastle East Public School, Newcastle Grammar School – Park Campus, New Lambton Public School, St Joseph’s Primary School Merewether, Hamilton North Public School, Islington Public School, Waratah Public School, St Philips Christian College – Junior School, Waratah West Public School, Mayfield East Public School, Hunter Christian School, Mayfield West Public School, Tighes Hill Public School, Wallsend Public School, Plattsburg Public School, Heaton Public School, Glendore Public School, Minmi Public School