Forward December 2014 | Page 19

SENIOR SCHOOL About Robotics G-TECH, the Guildford Grammar Robotics Club, provides an opportunity for students to build, program and test engineering solutions using real life robotics technology. The School’s new LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kits contain the EV3 Intelligent Brick, a powerful small computer that makes it possible to control motors and collect sensor feedback. Students are encouraged to brainstorm in order to find creative solutions to problems and then develop them through a process of selecting, building, testing and evaluation. In addition to the MINDSTORMS® Software, G-TECH uses ROBOTC; a powerful C-based programming language with a Windows environment for writing and debugging programs. ROBOTC is a cross-platform solution that allows students to learn the type of c-based programming used in advanced education and professional applications. The RoboCupJunior Educational Competition was introduced to the world in Melbourne, Australia in 2000. Since then RoboCupJunior Australia has experienced exponential growth where well established committees host major competitions in every state. RoboCupJunior is now played in 30 countries around the world and is now a regular feature of the annual university run RoboCup World Finals. RoboCupJunior also addresses social development by encouraging sportsmanship, sharing, teamwork, understanding of differences between individuals and nations, cooperation and organisational skills. G-TECH participates in the RobocupJunior WA Competition each year. The FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) is the flagship competition of FIRST. A large-scale robotics competition, FRC brings together students and teachers to build robots that perform in a competitive but gracious environment against teams from all over the world. In building their robot and doing all the other things that go with an FRC team, students learn valuable life skills like teamwork, collaboration, public speaking, technical science and engineering skills, gracious professionalism, and others. In Australia, FRC teams compete at the Duel Down Under off-season events or official Regional competitions in Sydney or the USA. FRC teams are guided by solid principles of teamwork, graciousness, cooperation, camaraderie and professionalism. It is envisioned that G-TECH Guildford Grammar Robotics Club would set its sights on entering the Duel Down Under and join all that is the FIRST Robotics Competition. Mr Adam Handley Design & Technology Teacher Making a difference in Cambodia The School has had a long term involvement w