Computer Science Innovation Day

Pupils from 2K all spent Monday in the first Computer Science Innovation Day. This new initiative aims to allow pupils time to become immersed in creative problem-solving activities. 

Their brief was to create two innovative solutions to problems in one of four fields chosen from health, transport, sport or home and leisure. After finding their own real-world problem to solve, pupils had to design and build two prototypes, both incorporating technology with the micro:bit. This small computer requires pupils to write software to control a range of sensors and outputs to produce their desired solution. 

Products included a treadmill calculating distance end energy expenditure, a step counter embedded in the sole of your trainer, an alarm clock using light to wake you up, a reaction time tester and a thermostat to help the warn the elderly if they are getting too hot or cold. The winning team, ‘Swai’ with Santi, William, Abi and Izzy, created and programmed a prototype step counter attached to the leg and a pressure pad that could be positioned on the finish line to help accurately determine the winner of a race. They were commended for the way they overcame obstacles and found solutions when building the electronics of their prototype and the effectiveness of their code. 

Each Second Year tutor group will have their own opportunity to excel in further Computer Science Innovation Days throughout the term. 

Neil Stokes 

Head of Computer Science and Digital Creativity