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Crescent School
Centre for Robotics Education
Mandate
The Crescent School Centre for Robotics Education was formally established in
September 2004 as a component of the School’s strategic plan. The centre
coordinates and promotes programmes and research related to robotics education
within the School, locally provincially, nationally and internationally.
Background
The Robotics programme at Crescent, which began in 1999, has flourished under
the leadership of a few key faculty members. Now a comprehensive component of
the Science and Technology curriculum, many students choose Crescent specifically
because of its Robotics programme. The programme’s main component is a robotics-based
Technological Design curriculum for grades 3 to 12. The instructional workshops
run by the robotics team draw students from schools across the GTA to Crescent
and allow our students to share their knowledge of Computer Aided Design, Electronics,
Pneumatics, Machining, Mechanical Construction, Movie Editing, Web Page Design
and Computer Programming.
Robotics is a multidisciplinary activity that enables students to use a wide
range of skills and knowledge in problem-solving, project-based activities that
focus on higher level thinking and interpersonal skills such as teamwork, communication
and time-management. These are all ideal skills for Crescent boys to graduate
with to prepare themselves for a career.
Crescent is the co-founder and the first winner of the FIRST Canadian Regional
Competition. FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
is a nonprofit organization based in New Hampshire. It is an organization that
inspires students to pursue careers in the areas of engineering, science, math,
technology and business by enhancing these skills. FIRST is administered in
Canada by the Canadian Association of Student Robotics (CASR) and the Centre
for Robotics Education works in partnership with this not-for-profit organization.
FIRST and Lego partnered in 1998 to create the FIRST Lego League allowing younger
students (ages 9 to 14) to build upon their problem solving, communication and
creative thinking skills. Crescent has been a leader in the FLL, hosting the
first Ontario Provincial Championship in 2003 with 33 teams and 1,500 participants.
The School is the headquarters for FLL in Ontario. The Director of FLL Canada
is a faculty member. Crescent and FLL continue to coordinate an increasing number
of tournaments across Ontario and Canada.
Leadership
The characteristics of student participation in the Crescent Robotics Team are
that it provides unique real-world leadership opportunities for students. They
have to raise funds, are given real budgets and deadlines, and are required
to work as a team under time-critical and at times stressful situations. The
student development and popularity of this extra curricular activity has been
well documented over the years.
Curriculum
Lower School: Grade 3 to 6
- Students selectively use robotics as a part of their science and technology
course.
Middle School: Grades 7 to 8
- As part of their structures and mechanisms units the students use robotics
as the foundation for learning the curriculum expectations in this programme.
Senior School: Grades 9 to 12
- Students in Year 1 complete a unit on robotic design and programming using
the Lego Mindstorms kit and NQC programming language.
- In science the students complete a unit on electricity and electronics.
They are required to design and fabricate an electronic device based on a
given design brief.Years 1 to 4 student have the opportunity to elect to do
one or two senior level technological design courses. Robotics is used as
the foundation for teaching all the knowledge and skills in these courses.
University Placement
Increasingly programmes like FIRST Robotics are being viewed by universities in
a very positive light. Students graduating from robotics have the knowledge,
soft skills and personalities coveted by these institutions.
Global Outreach
Crescent students have competed nationally and internationally for the past
six years. The School plans to maintain this tradition by sending students to
compete in events in and outside of North America. On a local level the School
has prided itself on being a resource for local teachers and students by providing
workshops and training related to robotics education.
Research
The centre has a research position directly related to robotics education and
more specifically to robotics education and how boys learn. This research is
being done in conjunction with York University, University of Toronto and CAIS.
Endowment
As a key component of Crescent School’s strategic plan, substantial funding
is provided by Crescent School through operations. Additional funding for outreach,
travel and research is provided by a number of individuals and corporations.
David Grant
Head of Technological Design/Robotics
Director of FLL Canada
Crescent School Centre for Robotics Education
2365 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M2L 1A2, Canada.
Tel: (416) 449-2556 Ext. 431
Fax: (416) 449-7950
E-mail: dgrant@crescentschool.org
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