A drone comes to school

Today we had a drone come to school. It was so exciting! Thomas' dad is a civil engineer and brought along his drone to explain to us how it worked and to give us a flying demonstration

Maths group go hi-tech

This group has been studying hi-tech in the high country looking at GPS, geospatial data and topographic maps in relation to extending their maths study on mapping. They have also looked at a variety of other technologies used to monitor the environment and to keep people safe, such as drones, transceivers, locator beacons and GPS dog tracking collars. They used a number of technologies themselves to interact with a virtual field trip. These included:

• using a back channel on Adobe Connect 
• using a polycom for audioconferences 
• using an online Ask an Expert board for asking questions of experts in the field 
• gathering information from images, videos and daily diaries

Wicked Wanderers and hi-tech!

The Wicked Wanderers have had an awesome time following a teacher in the high country looking at how different technology is used. They learnt about avalanche transceivers, dog tracking collars, personal locator beacons, drones and how different types of mapping can be done. They were able to ask lots of questions on an Ask an Expert Board online, to post a twitter message to the teacher and email their "ambassador".

Walt, our ambassador, has just returned from the MacKenzie Basin on a High Country hi-tech trip. We loved watching all the adventures he had there! Here he is with Billy-Joe the dog.

Walt Goes Exploring

Walt is a stuffed takahe, who is our Ilam ambassador on a virtual field trip to the MacKenzie Basin. Check out his webpage here: WALT

The Wicked Wanderers and a senior Maths group are followibg his adventures and all the other exciting things happening on this high country hi-tech trip.

Ilam Explorers present at assembly

Last Thursday the Ilam Explorers who followed the Plastic Bottle Kayak adventure presented some of their learning and their blog at our school assembly. Felix told us all about the plastic bottle boat which he made at cubs and at home.

Techno Trails

How can technology help us find out more about where we are and where would like to go? This month we go exploring to find out. Our techno' trail will take us to the MacKenzie Basin to explore mobile mapping, GPS, drones and much more! Check out the cool Techno Trail links on the right of this page.

 Three major lakes drain out into the MacKenzie Basin: Tekapo, Pukaki, Ohau.

 A bird's eye view of Lake Tekapo from a plane in April just after the snow.

 Another bird's eye view; this time of Lake Pukaki. Can you see Mount Cook in the background?

 What a cool way to get a great view ... paragliding off Coronet Peak.

Drones give an amazing bird's eye view. They are controlled by a pilot on the ground.