A hovercraft, a miniature fire fighting machine that squirts water, a heavyweight mover that can lift a one-hundred pound anvil and a robot with an arm that can pick up delicate objects like an egg, were demonstrated today by a group of students at Westisle Composite High School.
Sixteen students in a pilot Robotics program at Westisle Composite High School displayed their projects to school officials, parents and education and government officials.
The students constructed the four fully-functioning robots, using electronics, physics, welding, engineering, and problem-solving skills they learned during the 16-week class.
The robots are remote controlled and equipped with cameras that send images to a monitor, showing the view from the robot.
Students in this pilot project were introduced to the principles of robotics through the use of a robotic arm provided by the Department of Development and Technology, through Technology PEI Inc. Support from the Department of Education included financial assistance and approval to introduce the pilot course at Westisle.
The Honourable Mike Currie, Minister of Development and Technology says part of the plan to diversify the economy is to give our youth opportunities to look at the new career options that are available with the use of information technologies.
"We are very pleased to be able to assist in this pilot program which gives students an opportunity to expand their career options, " said the Minister." Some of the principles these students are learning in this class are being used in aerospace and information technology, two important sectors in our increasingly diversified provincial economy."
Frank Hennessey, Director of English programs with the Department of Education, viewed the projects at this afternoon's demonstration. "These projects and the Robotics course clearly illustrate that technology can be successfully integrated into school curriculum," said Mr. Hennessey. "Teacher George Charchuk and his students have demonstrated a keen interest in this course and the department is pleased with the enthusiastic response to this pilot project."
The Robotics class drew a lot of interest from students with more than 80 applying for the first class.
A second group of 16 students are now beginning the second program offering.