Robots spur pupils to solve problems
creatively
Chua Chu Kang Primary School pupils learning about
ratios during their maths lesson by calculating the number of
rotations the robot's wheels must make in order to travel a
specific distance. -- PHOTO: CHUA CHU KANG PRIMARY
SCHOOL
ROBOTS have yet to displace human teachers in the classroom, but
they are an integral part of lessons in one suburban primary
school.
Since 2008, Chua Chu Kang Primary School has been infusing
subjects such as science, mathematics and art with robotics.
For instance, it comes into play in the Primary 5 maths lesson
on ratios. Pupils measure the distance over which the robots move
and compare it with the number of rotations their wheels make.
During art lessons, Primary 1 and 2 pupils construct and design
houses, imaginary animals and ships using Lego sets. This helps to
get them interested in building robots later on.
Madam Fauziah Othman, the school's subject head for robotics,
said that apart from making learning more fun, robotics also forces
pupils to 'exercise their creativity through engagement in basic
design problems'.
The school in Choa Chu Kang Avenue 2 was awarded the Programme
for School-Based Excellence in Robotics in 2008. This win earned it
funds from the Education Ministry that have been ploughed into
improving and expanding its robotics programme.
School principal Lee Wai Ling said the programme develops her
pupils' critical thinking and information gathering skills.
STACEY CHIA
Home, The Straits Times, Tuesday, June 19 2012, Pg B4