Full STEAM Ahead for Launceston Schools

Students in the greater Launceston region are now leading the nation with a new innovative Internet of Things (IoT) education kit delivered to 40 State, and Catholic schools in the region.

The project, supported by all three levels of government through the Launceston City Deal was delivered in conjunction with Bitlink which developed the educational kits.

With a new focus on digital technologies within schools, Bitlink was faced with the challenge of providing a solution to teachers who wanted to teach the material in an engaging way but may not have the necessary skills, equipment, or experience.

Bitlink directors James Riggall and Troy Merritt collaborated with 10 pilot schools in the Launceston area to co-design and produce the kits and develop a range of lesson materials, videos, and curriculum to complement the kits.

“We tested prototypes in collaboration with teachers and by running live lessons with prototype kits and resources in their classrooms,” Mr Riggall said.

“As the project progressed, our process shifted to providing teachers with hardware and prototype lessons to run on their own and provide feedback.”

Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer said the IoT kits are a remarkable resource for students in school.

“More than 600 kits have now been delivered to schools across the greater Launceston region and will have fantastic outcomes for students undertaking their STEAM education,” Mrs Archer said.

Each lesson is built around four themes: introduction to IoT, smart homes, smart farms and smart cities. Invermay Primary teacher Kristy Tidey sees the kits as a game changer for both students and teachers.

“I’ve seen students who flourish in a traditional classroom environment be challenged and extended by the Bitlink lessons and I’ve seen students who often struggle being highly engaged, having a go and learning from their mistakes,” Ms Tidey said.

Each kit contains micro:bit, sensor:bit, battery pack, USB cable, sensors, motors and lights with each kit for students designed to work in pairs. Using the kits and associated resources, students learn how to build projects like an automatic plant watering system and a fan that turns on automatically when the room gets hot, as well as more sophisticated systems, like traffic lights that change their behaviour to enable an ambulance to navigate a city more easily.

For more information visit: bitlink.com.au