Education student Shontelle Lewis put her faith in robotics as a learning tool early in her career, and it is continuing to pay dividends.

Shontelle started out as a STEPS (Skills for Tertiary Entrance Preparatory Studies) student in 2005 and only 3 years later is embarking on a successful primary teaching career.

Shontelle Lewis ... finding the tools for success

At the start of her Bachelor of Learning Management degree, the budding teacher got involved assisting a Coasting into Robotics project.

Her role was to help education professionals in the classroom teaching robotics to a Year 7 cohort at Woongarra State School.

As part of this process, she attended robotics workshops and professional development conferences and created learning experiences. Related news: Bundy to host ‘Girls in ICT'

Last year came major recognition via the Peter Doherty Undergraduate Science Teacher Award for the exploration of using robotics as a tool for learning science.

Shontelle continued to be a robotics advocate and presenter across various schools across Queensland and also at CQUniversity via a Girls in ICT Day.

Turbo-charged learning experiences

She became involved this year with the Robotics Club Australia website construction: http://cyber-robot.tripod.com/ .

The keen student has also volunteered to teach robotics at Burnett Heads State School, leading her teams to success in inter-school competitions at the recent Maryborough Technology Challenge.

"Both of our teams explored imagery poetry to create their own original lyrics for a song for each team to program their robots to dance in time with," Shontelle said.

"Props and dance choreography were created in relation to the topic. It was BHSS' first competition in the ‘Dance' event.

"Robotics is an engaging, collaborative, hands-on tool for learning that stimulates spatial thinking, futures thinking and conversations about Science, Mathematics and Technology."

Kids are switched on

Shontelle said Burnett Heads State School had fully supported her work and had invited her to the school for her final practicum and internship next year.

"Nothing would have been possible without the support of CQUniversity Bundaberg, my Science and Technology lecturer Rosie Thrupp, the Community Liaison Officer Julie Hanak, Principal Pamela Liddell of Burnett Heads SS and all staff, supportive parents and the learners who positively benefited from the experience.

"Everything that has happened has been because of networking with many people and this is what life-long learning is about. This is what connectivism is all about.

"I would not be here studying today if it wasn't for the STEPS program. That is where my journey and university life began. I promote it as much as I can."