BENDIGO primary students have tested a new spatial toy, which could soon be rolled out in primary schools across Victoria. St Joseph's Primary School students have tried a prototype Unboxy, a cardboard kit of triangles and connectors that allowed them to design their own geometric structures. Educators hope it will build team work skills after students spent several months learning from home individually. Read more: New rooms prove a blessing at St Joseph's St Joseph's Primary School principal Joan Coldwell said the main aim was for children to work collaboratively. Mrs Coldwell said children were already enjoying working with the prototype, which gave them an opportunity to be creative. "We were concerned about the students coming back after the remote learning. Learning individually at home, in different situations, we weren't quite sure," Mrs Coldwell said. "This is a good way to get children working together again. A lot of discussion, it's very open ended, no rights or wrongs, and a lot of creativity for them. And also to see how they transition back from remote learning ... into a school situation. "It's a lot of fun, they were very excited about actually building something." Y2 Architecture director Matt Dwyer said Unboxy would build collaboration, critical thinking, as well as Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics skills. OTHER NEWS: Mr Dwyer the project was born out of a desire to connect with staff during their time working from home. Talking to education planners, they realised there would be challenges for students coming back to school after eight to 10 weeks at home. So the project's focus became something students could build. The triangular cardboard shapes come with circular joins. Mr Dwyer said he hoped the project could go out to all 2200 primary schools in Victoria. Find out more at: unboxyclassroom.com.au/ Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
BUILDING BIG: A St Joseph's student works with the new Unboxy prototype, designed to help students back to the classroom. Picture: DARREN HOWE
BENDIGO primary students have tested a new spatial toy, which could soon be rolled out in primary schools across Victoria.
St Joseph's Primary School students have tried a prototype Unboxy, a cardboard kit of triangles and connectors that allowed them to design their own geometric structures.
Educators hope it will build team work skills after students spent several months learning from home individually.
St Joseph's Primary School principal Joan Coldwell said the main aim was for children to work collaboratively.
Mrs Coldwell said children were already enjoying working with the prototype, which gave them an opportunity to be creative.
"We were concerned about the students coming back after the remote learning. Learning individually at home, in different situations, we weren't quite sure," Mrs Coldwell said.
"This is a good way to get children working together again. A lot of discussion, it's very open ended, no rights or wrongs, and a lot of creativity for them. And also to see how they transition back from remote learning ... into a school situation.
"It's a lot of fun, they were very excited about actually building something."
Y2 Architecture director Matt Dwyer said Unboxy would build collaboration, critical thinking, as well as Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics skills.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
