Technology

Program

Robotics:

• Turnbull School utilizes the VEX Robotics Program with students in grades 1-8. They will engage in a progressive learning pathway that creates a scaffolded STEM curriculum. This includes basic logic and interaction (123), to building and coding fundamentals (GO), to complex problem-solving and competition-ready robotics (IQ).
• VEX 123 (grades 1-2): Screen-free, touch-button coding makes it ideal for introducing sequencing, problem-solving, and basic STEM concepts through hands-on play.
• VEX GO (grades 3-4): Combines simple builds with block-based coding, helping students explore engineering design, teamwork, and introductory programming in structured classroom activities.
• VEX IQ (grades 5-8): Offers more advanced building systems and coding (blocks + Python), enabling deeper learning in robotics, automation, and computational thinking.

Coding:

• All students participate in coding instruction that builds from year to year. Students begin by using block coding and
• Scratch, utilizing the platform to create engaging and creative programs.
• In the upper grades, students learn a variety of programming languages including JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python. They develop a web page and various interactive animations and programs.
• Students utilize Micro:bits (mini-computers) to create individualized interactive programs.

Digital Citizenship:

• At all grade levels, students participate in class lessons that help prepare them for the digital world.
• Example topics include: balancing screen time usage, navigating social media apps, understanding online safety and protecting their identity, understanding digital footprints, learning how to avoid difficult social situations that could occur online, and overall appropriate use of technology.

Keyboarding Skills:

• Starting in grade one, students engage in a progressive keyboarding curriculum that covers the basic concepts and continues from year to year. Students have a words per minute goal for each school year, culminating in at least 30 words per minute by the end of grade eight.