STEM & Robotics Programs
At Grace Lutheran College, we offer a broad range of science, technology, engineering and robotics programs designed to challenge and equip students for the future.
Our STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) provide students with an excellent opportunity to explore technology and science in a fun and insightful way. These programs prepare them to be well-educated young adults, and can equip them for a future career in robotics, science or engineering.
From Year 7 onwards, all students at Grace study STEM subjects as part of their core curriculum. Each will also have the chance to select elective classes covering digital technologies, design, engineering, advanced mathematics, chemistry, physics, robotics coding and practical technology skills. As students move through high school, they can also select VET courses in technology and engineering.
Grace’s extensive Robotics programs enable students to study robotics in the classroom and complete in national and international Robotics competitions. Since 2008, Grace has been at the forefront of robotics programs in schools. Grace students regularly represent Australia in the FIRST Lego League Global Challenge, and Grace Lutheran College is responsible for the national FIRST Tech Challenge championship every December. In 2015, Grace students became the first in Queensland to build a FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) robot – the highest level of school-based robotics in the world.
Every student who enrols from Year 7 at Grace Lutheran College will study robotics at some stage during their journey through high school and may choose to carry this into their senior studies. Senior students can select a range of hand-on classes and vocational certificate courses, including activities such as drone flying, coding, computer science and civil engineering.
Students who excel at science, mathematics or robotics may apply to Grace's gifted and talented programs through Ignite Excellence. Our Ignite Excellence programs span all year levels and are an extension on the Grace Lutheran College curriculum.
Grace and FIRST® - A World Class Partnership
FIRST® Robotics
Grace Lutheran College is proud to be a partner with FIRST® Australia and Macquarie University in offering world class Robotics facilities, training and tournaments to students of the College and the wider community. Each year the College hosts FIRST® LEGO League for Northern Brisbane which sees over 1000 students and parents from teams all over Australia converge on our Rothwell campus for the tournament day in November. The College is also home to the prestigious FIRST® Tech Challenge for the entire state of Queensland. Students from Grace Lutheran College developed Queensland first FIRST® Robotics Competition Robot Genesis One in 2015. Read more about these Robotics platforms below.
FTC
FIRST® Tech Challenge is designed for high school students to compete head to head, using a sports model. Teams are responsible for designing, building, and programming their robots to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is reusable from year-to-year and is programmed using a variety of languages. Teams, including coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on sound engineering principles. Awards are given for the competition as well as for community outreach, design, and other real-world accomplishments.
FRC
The FIRST® Robotics Competition is the flagship competition of FIRST. A large-scale robotics competition, FIRST® Robotics Competition brings together students and mentors to build robots that perform in a competitive but gracious environment against teams from all over the world. In building their robot and doing all the other things that go with an FIRST® Robotics Competition team, students learn valuable life skills like teamwork, collaboration, public speaking, technical science and engineering skills, Gracious Professionalism®, and others.
