From code to circuits: Year 10 students get hands-on with technology
Posted on July 03, 2026
Year 10 Digital Computer Technology students at Macleans College designed, programmed and tested their own electronic projects during a hands-on workshop led by the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) education team.
The interactive session introduced students to the technology behind modern devices while encouraging creativity, problem-solving and innovation.
The workshop focused on the Arduino Uno, a small programmable microcontroller used in thousands of electronic devices and projects. Students learned how electronic components work together by building circuits and programming colourful RGB LED strips to respond to different inputs.
Using push buttons, potentiometers and ultrasonic sensors, students explored how hardware and software interact. They experimented with different combinations to create interactive lighting effects and simple games, gaining practical experience in electronics and programming.
Most of the programming was completed using block-based coding, making the concepts easy to understand and accessible for beginners. Students also received an introduction to text-based programming using Python and the Arduino IDE. They explored how AI tools such as ChatGPT can support coding by generating ideas, explaining code and helping solve programming challenges.
The workshop gave students valuable insight into the growing fields of electronics, coding and mechatronics. It strengthened their understanding of emerging technologies while inspiring them to apply these new skills in future science and technology projects.
Macleans College extends its thanks to the MOTAT education team for delivering an engaging workshop that encouraged curiosity, creativity and confidence in technology.
