High School staff members Ali Ratcliffe and Linzi Holliday came along to last week's meeting of Hawick Rotary to talk of the Inspire learning project being progressed at Hawick High and at the local Primary schools. They gave a very entertaining and educational presentation for members using Ipads and accessories provided to pupils at the schools. Two examples were the use of on-screen fly-over displays to take pupils into the heart of foreign cities, and using these Ipads to control Sphero Bolt balls. This STEM toy helps pupils explore computer coding, but Hawick's Rotarians found it difficult to show self-control as their lack of practice (OK, expertise) led to those balls ricocheting off feet, chair and table legs.
While members had fun at their meeting, this demonstration by school staff fitted in with the visit by several members recently to the STEM Hub on Buccleuch Road and with the High School's status as Corporate Members of Hawick Rotary. It was hoped that this status would encourage closer links between Club and School and this has already been proven well-founded.
A vote of thanks was given by Past President Tommy Mulvee.