Junior Innovators Design for YKA

Related Photos

Story provided by Elizabeth deVries, SD73 Technology Coordinator

Engineers know that in order to have success they have to try, and try again, and again… and again. Mr Caputo and Mr Berezowski’s Grade 6/7 classes know this too. These students have been working with LEGO Robotics: Mindstorms EV3 or Spike Prime. In their classrooms they have been building skills in assembly of components and then coding to allow for movement, by programming motors and communication, using various sensors and outputs. 

In early October 2024, these two Grade 6/7 classes from Westmount and Westsyde Elementary schools, visited YKA Kamloops Airport for a tour. They were introduced to the maintenance units, the fire department, the terminal, arrivals, security, and more. Throughout their tour, students applied their design thinking skills to consider how the robotics platforms they were learning about could support different aspects of the airport. 

"LEGO Robotics gave students the opportunity to put the core competencies into practice. Tasked with designing a unique robot that could assist at the Kamloops Airport, they collaborated with partners, engaging in critical and creative thinking. The process challenged them to be reflective when their program did not work. In the end, students were excited with their creations and the chance to build something that was meaningful to them,” shared Westmount Elementary Grade 6/7 teacher Mr Caputo.

“Every project is unique so in the end, it is student perseverance, grit, and creativity that solves and works through the challenges that arise in designing and coding. This work presents an opportunity for students to teach and help others as for some hands-on design is their strength,” shared Westsyde Elementary teacher Mr. Berezowksi.

After three weeks of iterations, troubleshooting, and testing in their classrooms, they returned to YKA to present their designs. Pairs of students shared their innovative models, including the specific area of support and benefit to the airport, their proposed production costs and market value, and shed light on their creation process. Each group received specific feedback from airport staff including Jim Moroz, Manager of Facilities and Emergency Response, and Ethan Caljouw, Airport Operations Coordinator. The students spoke to improved accessibility, passenger experience improvements, enhanced security, and automated solutions for airport maintenance in their design. 

Elizabeth deVries, SD73 Technology Coordinator shared, “I am so thrilled that these students really acknowledged how technology can be leveraged in a variety of areas. I loved hearing their ideas and the problems they noticed and chose to tackle. I am really proud of the work of the teachers and their designers in taking on the challenge of collaborative design and then a presentation out in the community.  I think that this practice is such a valuable skill that these learners won’t soon forget.”   

When asked about their experience working on the YKA project, students expressed that the project gave them unique opportunities to use critical thinking, problem solving, and creativity while learning to work more collaboratively in teams.

“I think Lego Robotics is a great opportunity for people to experience, especially in the years leading up to high school. If you enjoy programming, you can focus on technology and coding when you get to choose your own electives. In my opinion, I think that everyone should experience Lego Robotics because it teaches you many things like teamwork, critical thinking, coding, science, troubleshooting, and mathematics. I loved how it didn’t matter if your robot worked or not, and it was the idea that counted. I had lots of fun doing this program, even though we had some trouble getting things to work. I am very thankful that I got this opportunity, knowing that only a handful of classrooms get to do it every year,” shared Gabby.

“My class got to be part of the Lego Robotics program. We got to be creative and build a robot that would help the airport be more efficient. My partner and I built a robot that would plow the airport runway to make it easier for planes to take off and land, especially in winter weather. I really enjoyed this program because we got to be creative and build and play with lego! It was a good way to work collaboratively on a project and it was nice to have a partner to help come up with ideas for the project and also to help when things didn't go as planned. I was a bit nervous to present our robot in front of people but it was a very relaxing environment and I felt proud of myself and my partner when we finished. I think this is a great program for students to be involved in and I am thankful that I got to be part of it,” shared Henry.

“I liked going to the airport to demonstrate my lego robot because it was interesting to see what the other people made with their robots. I think that it was nice to see how many different robots could all help the airport in different ways. It was also interesting that we got to go with another class, because we also got to see their ideas. It was a great experience, and I am glad that I got to participate in building a lego robot to help the airport,” shared Dreya.

The Intellectual Development priority in the 2022-2027 District Strategic Plan focuses on providing opportunities for students to learn to analyze critically, think independently, and develop a lifelong appreciation of learning and curiosity about the world around them. This project with YKA is just one example of how the District is offering unique learning experiences that showcase fast-paced emerging technologies to support students in developing these skills.

On behalf of SD73, the teachers and the students who engaged in this work, we are so grateful to YKA Kamloops Airport for their support of this partnership, and their commitment to supporting connections and learning for our students. Thank you to the airport staff that were on hand to offer feedback, and to Ashley Wood, Airport Operations Coordinator, for the opportunity and the immense support.