Mitsui Iron Ore Development Managing Director, Takahiro (Tony) Doiuchi recently visited Millars Well Primary School in Karratha to check out the tech skills of the students and teachers as part of Scitech’s Intensive Robotics Program.

The program supported by Mitsui Iron Ore helps students and teachers to develop technological skills and knowledge, and improve their awareness of the importance of technology and robotics in the world around them.

Students from kindergarten to Year 6 learn to use coding and remote operation via an iPad to program bluetooth-enabled robots and how to design and build their own robots.

Scitech professional learning consultant Simon Fittock said the aim of the program was to develop the students’ engagement, interest and awareness of technology in society.

“Technology is all around them, so they get a great sense of how things work which is really important, but it’s also developing a set of skills they’ll be able to take in to the future workforce,” he said.

“The aim is to give students with the skills to be able to contribute back to the community up when they’re older.”

The program has been running in the Pilbara for the past five years at different schools.

Mr Doiuchi addressed the school assembly and praised the enthusiasm and talents of the teachers and students alike.

“The uptake from staff and students in the program has been incredible, the progress which they’ve made is great and they’ve really benefited from the funding,” he said.