General News
4 December, 2024
Students break the code
STUDENTS from Trinity Bay State High School have put their school on the map, both figuratively and literally, producing an interactive school map and an emergency training game to take out top honours at 2024’s Premier’s Coding Challenge earlier this month.
Encouraging students across Queensland to create a better learning environment through the power of technology, the Premier’s Coding Challenge emphasises coding, robotics and problem-solving to empower young people in leading and shaping the future.
A statewide competition, two teams from Trinity Bay State High School addressed real-world challenges within their school and created projects that directly improved Trinity Bay students' lives.
Led by students Lewis (surname withheld) and Andzejs Maltby, the first winning team focused on a web-based orientation tool for new students to the school.
With Trinity Bay State High School’s campus being the largest in the region, the size can be overwhelming, especially for new and international students.
Acknowledging this issue, the team’s HTML-based project allows users to explore a digital map of the school, assisting students to navigate with ease and confidence. Developed by students Brodie Lucas and Jack Wood-Bartle, the second project focused on building emergency awareness in a creative way through the popular online game Roblox.
Introducing players to a fictional school setting with various emergencies, engaging game-based scenarios help players to learn important decision-making skills, such as who to notify, and how to stay safe in different emergency situations.
Overseeing the school’s submissions, English and technologies teacher Erin Seaton said the projects had been a huge success.
“I integrated the challenge as a project, helping students build skills in project management and brainstorming ways to make their school a better place,” she said.
"I wanted students to apply the skills they’ve learnt and use their creativity to tackle issues that impact their day-to-day lives.”
Ms Seaton also said Trinity Bay State High School was home to a thriving STEM community.
“It’s amazing to see how excited students are to explore coding and digital innovation,” she said.
“Our school’s STEM clubs and hubs, like the eSports and coding clubs, are growing as students see the impact they can have on their community.”
