Students at Cobram Anglican Grammar School are set to sharpen their coding and programming skills, courtesy of a delivery of high-tech equipment.
The school recently received an order of two KUKA robotic arms. The arms, which are programmed using coding software, were manufactured in Germany and arrived at the end of November.
Principal Keith Willett said the school would now be able to offer educational pathways for all young people across the region, irrespective of whether their goals were university oriented or had an applied and practical focus.
“We are very lucky to be one of the few schools in Australia with access to KUKA robotics,” Mr Willett said.
“Our teachers and students across the school are very excited to put the devices to good use in the years to come and learn essential skills such as coding and programming.”
Technology teacher Anthony McConnell is also enthusiastic about the new additions.
“Two years ago, we never thought we would have these,” he said.
He said many industries already had their own KUKA robotic equipment, despite each arm retailing for between $40,000 and $60,000.
“We’re getting a lot more students who are looking at engineering, robotics, coding, for the ever-changing workplace,” Mr McConnell said.
“It’s very important to give them skills they need, and the understanding of how these systems work, and be job ready.”
The robotic arms were funded as part of a $3 million grant from the Victorian Independent Schools Block Grant Authority, which the school received in 2022.
The remainder of the grant has been put towards a new trade centre at the school. Currently, the two KUKA arms — and three laser cutters, which the school also recently acquired — are housed in another building. Once the trade centre is complete, students will be able to access the equipment there.
One such student is Jet Munro, who hopes to pursue a career in engineering. He has already begun learning the ropes of the KUKA coding software with the aid of his technology teacher, Mr McConnell.
“I’ve already played around with it a little bit, but I’m quite excited to do a bit more,” the Year 9 student said.
Jet said he believed the new KUKA arms would give himself and his peers a better idea of what career paths they could pursue.
“These machines, with using design and coding and all that, will definitely allow me to pursue more specified engineering paths, depending on what I choose,” he said.
“Getting these machines is really good for our school. It will definitely open up a few more opportunities and different career paths.”