VAS instils passion for creating and programming robots in primary students

The world continuously recognises programming prodigies who have created miracles in the technology industry at a very tender age. Among them are Samaira Mehta – a 10-year-old girl raised in Silicon Valley, US – founder and CEO of CoderBunnyz as well as the main speaker at seminars about technology diversity hosted by Google and Microsoft or Muhammad Hamza Shazad from the UK, the youngest person in the world who received Microsoft’s professional programming certificate when he was only six years old. Obviously, age is not a barrier for children to conquer this fascinating digital world.

VAS Robocon Competition unleashes potential programming talents

At Vietnam Australia International School (VAS), every year the school organises “Robot Creation and Programming” (VAS Robocon) contest for students in Grade 4-5 to help them confidently use technological applications in reality and get acquainted with the world of programming right from primary school.

In order to create smart and eye-catching robots that are capable of conquering the terrain and overcoming the challenges of the organisers, the children spent lots of time designing, modifying, and correcting technical errors before taking the robots to the competition.

The final victory is the result of tremendous work including creativity (making, designing robots), logical thinking (programming and controlling the robots to demonstrate), and the ability to co-ordinate with teammates throughout the competition.

VAS Robocon is both an inspiring, practical playground and a premise for young VAS programmers to be ready to conquer higher challenges in national and international competitions.

The foundations with international-standard ICT programme

In order to stimulate the passion for robotics creation and programming, VAS introduced ICT in its Cambridge International Primary Programme.

The programme equips children with foundational knowledge which is appropriate to their age and stimulates creative thinking, the ability to explore and research the subject, based on the UK’s Cambridge International Diploma ICT Starters framework.

VAS teaches solid technological foundation from the primary level

Since the early years of primary school, VASers have become familiar with the use of hardware and software, mastering the functions of popular devices such as computers, keyboards, TVs, DVDs, and mobile phones. They will also apply information technology as a means of communication through the creation of text and images to convey information and build awareness of network information security.

In Grades 3-5, students will learn how to use ICT to process basic information such as classifying, archiving, and backing up data, and start to study about programming, creating a series of instructions to control the computer.

The programme is taught entirely in English with a team of Cambridge teachers who are highly experienced and qualified by Digital Literacy Certification (IC3).

Completing the Cambridge International Primary Programme

ICT is one of the four subjects VAS introduced in the Cambridge International Primary Programme together with Maths, English, and Science. The programme focuses on establishing language ability, science, calculating and technology skills for students equivalently to children of the same age in other countries with advanced educational systems with an expected outcome of the Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Certificate which is valid worldwide.

Various learning and talent development activites at VAS

VAS now has a team of more than 900 teachers, 200 of whom are foreign teachers from the UK, the US, and Australia, among others. The school also boasts the most extensive teaching time in English compared to other bilingual international schools in Ho Chi Minh City, with more than 22 periods every week for the primary level. Extending the teaching time helps students effectively absorb and apply skills in reality.

Besides the highly applicable academic programme, VAS primary students also participate in diverse extracurricular and talent activities such as painting and writing contest, VAS Got Talent, or VAS Olympics and take part in exciting and valuable field trips. During these activities, students get a chance to confidently express themselves, raise awareness and responsibility to their surrounding problems as well as find their passion and talents at an early age.