Boris Johnson sees technology in action at international school

ACS Hillingdon International School has received a visit from its local MP and Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson as he toured the school’s brand new £10m Science Centre.

Specialist STEAM facilities

As part of the tour, Mr Johnson visited two classrooms specially equipped to teach STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) subjects where he saw students – aged seven to nine – using coding to drive robots.He then had the opportunity to drive a robot himself using an iPad pre-loaded with the robot coding.

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One twelve-year-old student showcased the SWIFT Apple Coding Platform (Apple’s unique programming language) and explained how the students were using it in various lessons, including examples of fidget spinners being coded at various stages.

Developing technology skills for the future 

Martin Hall, Head at ACS Hillingdon, said, “We know that many of our students will leave us here at ACS and go on to have jobs in industries that have not yet even been conceived.“It is vital that we ensure our young people have robust scientific knowledge and encourage them to pursue their curiosity, develop creative thinking and hone their technological skills ready for the future.”

Micro-robots and 3D printers

Moving on to the Lower School Lab, sixth formers then introduced the Foreign Secretary to projects at various stages of completion, including an iMAC museum and Plotbots – a micro-controller robot that plots a regular pattern onto a vertical surface. He then had a chance to see the school’s 3D printer kit in action.In recognition of the Foreign Secretary’s well-known admiration for Sir Winston Churchill, the school presented him with an optical relief mapping image of his hero’s head, created on the 3D printer.Receiving the unusual portrait, the Foreign Secretary said, “I congratulate you all on what you’re doing here – it’s truly amazing. This was inconceivable when I was at school.”

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Two new school categories have been added to our annual Relocate Awards for 2018 – School Providing Outstanding Relocation Support and Inspiring Future Careers – Best Employer & School(s) Initiative but you must be quick! Entries close 31 March 2018. 

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