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Middle School Robotics Club attends design day, prepares to host scrimmage

Middle School students at Holy Trinity for a robotics event.

Middle School students from the Robotics Club recently had an exciting opportunity to attend a Design Day at Holy Trinity School (HTS). During the event, they actively participated in design thinking workshops, team-building exercises, and brainstorming sessions, all aimed at developing innovative robot designs. They also gained valuable experience in maintaining an engineering design notebook, a critical tool for documenting their progress and ideas.

By the end of the day, the students left equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to begin building a competition-ready robot. Three Senior School mentors – Madeleine, Bianca and Ben also accompanied them on this trip, offering guidance and support throughout the experience. Thank you, all, for your contribution!

Pickering College is hosting its own VEX IQ Robotics scrimmage on Wednesday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Egan House. This non-competitive event will bring together over 200 students from five independent schools across the GTA to showcase their robotics skills and learn from one another. 

The school community is invited to come out and cheer on the teams!

Middle School launches innovative SPARC program

Two students work on a design and build challenge involving simple materials.

Wednesday, September 18 was the first day of SPARC, our new program within the Middle School Pillar Years of the Global Leadership Program. Students from Grade 6 to Grade 8 can pursue interests in Design, Technology, Environmental Sustainability, Social Justice & Advocacy and Identity & Community. Throughout the year, students will explore these different themes through experiential learning and collaborate on projects that affect real change in our community. 

"Our students are diving into project areas and connecting with community partners. Today was that first day where they started to make those connections and figure out the positive change they're going to make in the world," said Julie Clement, Middle School Director.
 
Students have already enjoyed guest speakers such as Newmarket Councillor Bob Kwapis, hands-on workshops from Scientists in School, and excursions to historic downtown Newmarket, Blue & Silver Farm, Black Creek Farm, and historic sites in Richmond Hill.   

Students with the change the bill art

Did you know that an Indigenous woman has never been featured on a Canadian banknote? 

The Native Women's Association of Canada hopes to change that through Change The Bill, a call to action promoting reconciliation through art by commissioning Indigenous artists to reimagine the $20 bill to feature heroic Indigenous women.

Inspired by this initiative, Grade 8 students researched the legacies of the women on the recommended bills. Students then created their own $20 bill designs to acknowledge the contributions of lesser-known 19th-century history makers.

Staff, students, parents, and guests took in their exhibition, including MP Tony Van Bynen, who spoke about how currency designs are determined and encouraged students to enact change on this and other issues of importance.

Read more about this initiative in The Auroran newspaper