The document summarizes a STEAM CPD visit by the author to St. Mary's University College in Belfast from January 30th to February 5th, 2016. During the visit, the author observed classrooms at two local primary schools and attended a two-day Microbot programming event hosted by St. Mary's for over 100 P7 (grade 5) students from five schools. The event involved students learning to program microbots to complete tasks and dance routines. The visit provided the author with inspiration and practical guidelines for organizing their own STEAM events, as well as professional contacts across Europe.

1. STE[A]M CPD Visit
St Mary’s University College
Belfast
30.01.2016 – 05.02.2016

2. I see... I think... I wonder...

3. ...but also...

4. Professional Benefits
• Inspiration to run my own STEAM Event/Day.
• Practical guidelines I can implement in my role
as PY STEAM Coordinator.
• Contacts across Europe.

5. St Mary’s University College
Kieran McGeown is Course Team Leader for Technology and Design at St Mary’s University
College teacher-training institution in Belfast, Northern Ireland. In addition, Kieran maintains
links with local schools across Northern Ireland, and runs STEM-related events to which primary-
age pupils are invited. Upon receiving my request to host my EU-funded job-shadowing visit,
Kieran not only invited me but also put together the entire visit schedule.
The reason for my wanting to visit during this particular week, was Kieran’s STEM-based
Microbot-programming event, this occurring 4-5 February. Connected with this, Kieran arranged
for me to visit two local schools, where I got to know the pupils and their teachers, and observe
learning in a classroom environment, prior to the STEM extravaganza.

6. Holy Rosary Primary School
I observed a superbly well-behaved, focused and hard-working P7 (=Y6 or Grade 5)
class, and assisted with their English learning of rain-based poetry containing
personification and simile, and then Maths learning of drawing angles with
precision.

7. Sullivan Prep School
FROM THE SCHOOL NEWSLETTER (on website):
P7 - MICROBOTS
Prep 7 thoroughly enjoyed taking part in “the Microbot Experience” which was a two day event
research project hosted by Stanmillis and St Mary’s University College. The children completed a series
of STEM focused challenges using Microbots in which they had to write programs to manoeuvre
Microbots through an assault course before performing a synchronised dance routine complete with
colourful costumes! Many thanks to Dr Ievers (Ted’s father) for giving us such a wonderful opportunity
to be immersed in two days of technology.
Quotes from Prep 7 –
Imagine if this was your job!
I loved getting to be creative with Microbot art when we attached Sharpies to our robots. Everything
was awesome!
I really enjoyed getting to do programming.

8. Microbot STEM Event
P7 pupils from five schools across the Belfast area assembled at Stranmillis University College
(Belfast’s other major teacher-training college), were introduced to the Microbot robot with
programming software, and were given a set of objectives to pursue across the two days of
the event (Day 2 to be held back at St Mary’s). For me, it was interesting how the different
teachers approached the instructions: some strongly promoted following the tasks one by one,
while others promoted pupils’ natural curiosity with more of a philosophy that making the
Microbot move in any way, promoted understanding and increased knowledge.
Whichever approach they took, the small groups of pupils (small groups from within their own
class, but often working next to other schools’ groups) undertook the following tasks:
• Program the Microbot to undertake small movements.
• Program the Microbot to undertake a sequence of movements.
• Record mathematically how far the Microbot moves/turns, and use these numbers when
further programming the Microbot to achieve precision movements.
• Program the microbot to dance to music (it will also be decorated!).
• Program the microbot to undertake a paired dance with another group’s Microbot.
These steps promoted pupils to develop from initial contact to full control with a meaningful
goal. Adults were on hand to help, but mostly pupils worked things out for themselves.
Organisationally, the event was superbly planned, from the schedule of bus arrival, to snacks
and lunch provision, to space and equipment considerations. Very few technical glitches – and
these solved on the spot, so as to maintain momentum.

9. Photos

10. Gaeilge

11. Selection Procedure
Sindelfingen:
•Sarah/Rebecca consult on how such
opportunities fit into Staff Goals / the
Strategic Plan.
Degerloch:
•Alex Whittaker to advise.

12. Finding a placement/host
• Teacher training institutions! Already have links to local
schools, can arrange entire visit schedule.
• Email schools directly. I had little success here.
• Talk to your managers and colleagues here and in previous
workplaces.
• http://ec.europa.eu/education/opportunities/school/staff_
en.htm
• http://www.englishmatters.org/index.php/courses/index/e
rasmus_plus_courses_job_shadowing
• https://www.britishcouncil.org/study-work-
create/opportunity/work-volunteer/erasmus-staff-mobility
BEST – Use the eTwinning Website:
• https://www.etwinning.net/en/pub/index.htm

13. Where will you go?
• Imagine where you might go in Europe, what
you might learn, and how it fits in with your
professional goals and the school’s strategic
plan.
A. PERSONAL GOAL
B. BENEFITS FOR ISS
C. LOCATION
D. ---Remember, you will need to research this.