Finding your Billion

Christ's College hosted the "Find Your Billion" Workshop in association with SingularityU. Teenagers from around the wider Canterbury region and beyond gathered for a day, to debate and dream of ways in which global issues could be solved.

St Margaret's was well represented and I was extremely proud to support these dedicated individuals who spent a day during their holidays to mix with other teens to conceptualise ways in which we can make the world a better place.  Our girls were confident, worked well as part of a team and could articulate their ideas clearly with conviction.

12 Categories

Two hundred and fifty students worked collaboratively in their chosen field of interest.  Students initially chose from twelve categories and then formed smaller teams to problem solve a specific issue which they perceived as being a future problem in around our globe.

SMC students working alongside others. 

 A team from Singularity U and Auckland University led us through a series of discussion opportunities.  The final activity was to pitch their idea to the rest of the participants.

This is the first of many SingularityU opportunities that are coming to Christchurch this year. See the SingularityU NZ webpage for more information.

Next week, on Monday October 3, there is a documentary about using exponential technology to solve global problems. To book in Canterbury, go to this link.

In November we will be treated to a 3-day summit at the Horncastle Arena.

Using Images in your class work

When my students are using the internet to gather information as part of their research then I am constantly reminding them to cite their sources of text, video, audio and pictures.  Here is a useful site that you might like to use when you are searching for images that already have creative commons licensing.  Check out: Photos For Class

Integrated Learning

I am constantly impressed with the way in which our Middle School year 7 and 8 students approach learning.  We have provided opportunities for these girls to take their learning the next step and to use their creative skills to present a project which encompasses the what they have learnt over the past term.

At year 8 the girls have been studying the Olympic Games.  Thanks to some awesome learning activities from their ENSS teachers, the girls have delved into the values and what goes on behind the scenes for an athlete pre, during and post the games.  Their challenge was to use technology to create something that would represent the next summer Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020.  The choices were wide and varied from 3D printed badges to original lyrics and promotion songs and videos.

In year 7, the girls have been investigating the gap filler spaces around Christchurch Central City.  Following a visit into town to some of these spaces as well as listening to the underlying philosophy and values of the gap filler idea, the girls then created their own model.  Using Tinkercad as a design tool, they collaboratively worked on the one build platform to take their idea and create a visual representation of their gap filler.  Using Quicktime screencasting we were able to take a fly over with narration of the physical space that was created.

Click on this image for the fly over

Robocup Success

St Margaret's College entered the Robocup competition for the first time this year. I was proud to take a dedicated team to compete against other robotic enthusiasts. The girls performed so strongly at our regional competition that we went on to Auckland to make our presence known in the North Island. There are a number of different sections that girls choose to enter.

In the Theatre section of the competition, competitors select and mash together their own sound.  They can also narrate a story or present a scene based on their chosen theme. Their performance needs to demonstrate a range of technologies and part of their mark is based on an interview where the girls have to demonstrate and explain to the judges all the processes that they used to create their performance.

Another popular section was the Search and Rescue competition. Robots are put through their paces by having to complete four different courses throughout the day.  The tiles of the course are changed each round so that competitors are challenged in their ability to think flexibly in their coding and programming of their robots. The silver can at the end of the course must be pushed out of the area to finish and the time to complete the course is also taken into consideration.

Robocup offers our students an opportunity to be personally challenged.  Not only are girls competing against other like-minded students, they are also developing reliance, perseverance and teamwork in the process of preparing their performances.  Robots have a mind of their own! They should never be trusted and no matter how much your minimise and problem-solve the errors, we are always on tender hooks with fingers crossed that the robots will behave.  Nevertheless, the thrill of competing and the emotional rollercoaster that these girls experience allows for the growth of each individual and team.   

I was particularly impressed with the way in which our girls supported one another through the highlights and the disappointments. I am confident that St Margaret’s College is leading the way with girls’ in technology.  This group have been strong ambassadors and have embraced the opportunity to personally grow through their involvement in technology.  A huge 'thank you' to the wonderful team of parents who have supported  us along the way to have made our time together such a memorable first experience for St Margaret’s College to compete at the National Robocup Competition.

Regional Results:

Senior Theatre Section:

2nd Snowgies - Hattie, Holly, Mia

3rd Han Duo - Charlotte, Sophie

Search and Rescue Section:

2nd Caitlyn Wickham

National Results:

Senior Theatre Section:

2nd Snowgies

3rd Han Duo

Innovation and Exponential Technological Change

The University Movie
is coming to Christchurch on Monday 3 October 2016 at Hoyts Riccarton
Book by going to the link above or https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/the-university-preview-screening-with-qa-christchurch-tickets-27745031135?aff=ehomecard

This a documentary film exploring how technology and exponential change can be used in solving some of the problems we face in the world today.  SingularityU is based in Silicon Valley at the NASA research Park in California, America.  This university is said to focus on scientific progress and "exponential" technologies. This film is a precursor to the SingularityU Summit which will run in November at the Horncastle Arena.  The movie is expected to help people to start understanding what it means to be exponential to begin to grapple with the potential impact that some fast changing technologies can have in our community and on a global scale.