Robotics and Reading Bring Learning to Life at Ianthe Pratt Primary School

Robotics, a drone demonstration and reading activities centred on car trunks brought learning to life at Ianthe Pratt Primary School in the Bight on Monday, October 5, and Tuesday, October 6, as students celebrated the Week of the Young Child.

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The activities reflected this year’s theme, “Building a Love for STEM through Everyday Exploration,” while also highlighting the role of literacy in early childhood development.

Principal Neekimo King said the annual initiative, held across public primary schools under the guidance of Early Childhood Education Officer Heidi Williams, provides an opportunity to celebrate young learners and offer meaningful, hands-on experiences.

King said the school’s early childhood teachers and students embraced the theme through engaging activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Monday’s programme featured a robotics competition, giving children an opportunity to explore how familiar materials, including Lego toys, could be used to build robots.

The school also welcomed representatives from DECR, who explained how STEM supports their work and introduced students to drones and their uses. A flight demonstration allowed the children to see the technology in action.

Math Specialist Renae Reed said teachers also demonstrated how learning through play works at different class levels.

“We decided to give the kids an adventure,” Reed said.

Tuesday’s activities shifted the focus to literacy with a “Reading a Trunk” day. Each class’s theme was presented through a car trunk, creating spaces where older students could read to younger children.

King said the school continues to seek innovative ways to make reading enjoyable, particularly amid concerns about literacy and numeracy performance across the islands.

The principal added that the appeal of shared reading extends beyond the youngest pupils, with upper-school students also enjoying the experience.

Reed said the decision to include reading alongside STEM reflected the connection between literacy and numeracy.

“We decided to explore literacy as well, because it is very important and they don’t work in isolation,” she said.

The programme also sought to broaden children’s ideas about future careers, with particular attention to encouraging girls to see themselves in STEM fields.

Reed said female presenters were deliberately selected for Monday’s activities to provide examples of women working in areas that young girls might not otherwise consider.

She explained that introducing children to possibilities such as marine biology and civil engineering can help them look beyond traditional expectations and begin imagining a wider range of futures.

Through robotics, practical demonstrations, play and shared reading, Ianthe Pratt Primary School used the two days to connect classroom learning with everyday discovery and future opportunities.