Mangakōtukutuku College · Hangarau / Technology Whānau newsletter · Issue 3 · 19 October 2026

Year 10 Junior Digital Technologies

Physical Computing
& Robotics

10DTC

9 weeks · 3 lessons/week
Tech Lab T4

A BBC micro:bit pocket computer connected to its battery pack — Programming BBC micro:bits: we connect buttons, LEDs, and wireless radio to build real-world physical devices.

Nau mai, haere mai e te whānau!

Welcome to Term 4! By now our class has already covered programming and digital design. This term we bring it all into the real world — wires, sensors, and small computers that actually do things. Here is what we are building to finish the year, and how you can support the mahi at home.

Matua Tobias — Tobias Croydon-McRae

Kaiako · Digital Technologies

There is a moment in this class — usually around week seven — when a student's code makes a robot buggy drive. Not simulated, not on screen. It drives. That moment is why I teach. We start small: LEDs and buttons. We get to that moment by building real physical systems, step by step, and learning that the gap between an idea and a working machine is just a series of solvable problems.

"A buggy driving backwards is a great teacher. In engineering, mistakes are just data."

Kaiako Showcase: Mindmap App

Try the interactive Mindmap App (work-in-progress) built by Matua Tobias to map system designs!

IN

Sensor

SYS

micro:bit

OUT

Motor

Mechatronics & Kaitiakitanga Hangarau

This unit integrates coding with physical hardware. We program micro:bits to interact with the physical world, mapping software logic to inputs and outputs. This aligns with kaitiakitanga—using tech to monitor and protect te taiao (our environment). Every student builds three core strands:

1

Technological PracticePlan, prototype, test, and refine authentic engineering designs.

2

Technological KnowledgeUnderstanding the electronics and code under the hood.

3

Nature of TechnologyCritiquing how automation impacts our society and te taiao.

What we will make in 10DTC in Term 4 Ka hangaia

A reactive name badge — first micro:bit programs with motion and light sensors
A classroom climate logger — measuring light, temperature, and tracking real-time data
An autonomous robot buggy — programming motors to drive, steer, and navigate a course
An electronics write-up — a written explanation of how the buggy's components work (assessed via e-asTTle writing)

Where this class fits — the five technological areas NZC

THIS CLASSComputational ThinkingCode, algorithms and data — thinking in steps a computer can follow

+ THIS CLASSDigital Outcomes (DDDO)Designing and building digital media, websites and apps

Materials OutcomesDesigning and making with wood, metal and textiles

Processed OutcomesFood technology and biotechnology — design you can eat

Design & Visual CommunicationSketching and drawing to communicate design ideas

10DTC covers the two digital areas. Ākonga meet materials, food, and DVC in other classes. See the full NZC Technology curriculum.

The nine-week journey

Te haerenga · 10DTC

W1–3	Stage 1: Sensors & Outputs (Current Stage)Connecting micro:bits to lights, buttons, and sensors — learning inputs, outputs, and simple programs	→ reactive name badge
W4–5	Stage 2: Data from SensorsLogging real sensor readings (temperature, light) and displaying live data on screen	→ classroom climate logger
W6–9	Stage 3: RoboticsProgramming motors to drive and steer an autonomous buggy — plus a written explanation of how the electronics work	→ robot buggy + electronics write-up

All hardware is supplied by the school — nothing to buy. The free online micro:bit simulator at microbit.org covers home tinkering. The W6–9 electronics write-up is the key literacy assessment — assessed as an e-asTTle writing task. Programme integrates Computational Thinking (PO5) and Digital Outcomes (PO3).

Where could this lead? Ara mahi

Where physical computing skills can lead — explore live NZ career pathways:

Careers NZ Engineering & robotics

micro:bit Projects More builds to try

QR code: Te Kete Ako Technology Resources

Te Kete Ako Browse Tech Resources

Pathway at MKT: Year 10 Tech → senior NCEA Digital Technologies (Levels 1–3) → university engineering, polytech mechatronics, or electrical apprenticeships.

Our kawa — what we expect Ngā tikanga

ManaakitangaWe support each other — everyone's safety and ideas are respected.
Hardware is TaongaSensors, wires, and micro:bits are counted out, cared for, and returned safely. Never hide a broken part.
Safe handsBatteries, circuits, and tools used exactly as instructed to prevent damage.
Honest AI useAI assists us with troubleshooting code, but physical wiring and logic are ours.
AkoWe learn from each other. In our classroom, everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.

How progress is assessed & reported Aromatawai

The Assessment

The key assessment is the Week 6–9 electronics write-up — a formal written explanation of how the robot's motors and sensors work, assessed as an e-asTTle writing task.

The Dashboard

Progress is reported live against national progress outcomes on the Curriculum Dashboard. No percentage grades.

No Surprises

Classwork is always visible. Feedback is ongoing, and report cards match what we've already discussed in class.

How whānau can help at home Mā te whānau

Support from home makes a massive difference in how our students connect with their learning:

Read to your teenager. There is no age where they are too old to be read to. Reading together, discussing news, or sharing a book builds vocabulary, critical thinking, and connection. It's the most powerful support you can give.
Spot real-world sensors. Discuss how heat pumps, traffic lights, or automatic doors use sensors (inputs) to make automated decisions (outputs) at home or in town.
Build a Drone at Home. Watch this step-by-step video tutorial: Build a DIY Drone (YouTube).
Tinker with the simulator. Go to microbit.org/code/ to test sensor code together on a simulated micro:bit board.
Dinner table: design your home robot. Ask your young person: if you could build a robot to help around the house, what would it do — and what sensors would it need to pull it off?

Mahi Kainga · Homework: wordfind on page 3 ↓karetao robot · pūoko sensor · raraunga data · hiko electricity · irirangi radio · kaitiakitanga guardianship

Pātai? Questions? Catch me at school, drop an email to t.mcrae@mkt.school.nz, or ring the office. He waka eke noa.

Matua Tobias · Technology Faculty
Mangakōtukutuku College

Mangakōtukutuku College · Hangarau / Technology Issue 3 · Mahi Kainga / Homework

Year 10 Junior Digital Technologies — Term 4

Kupu Wordfind

10DTC

Find all 12 kupu below — they hide left, right, up, down, diagonally, and backwards. Both the Māori te reo and English words are in the same grid. Circle or highlight each one.

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Kupu to find: (macrons not shown in grid — search PUOKO, KAITIAKITANGA)

karetao — robot

robot — karetao

pūoko — sensor

sensor — pūoko

raraunga — data

data — raraunga

hiko — electricity

electricity — hiko

irirangi — radio

radio — irirangi

kaitiakitanga — guardian

guardian — kaitiakitanga

He waka eke noa — we are all in this together. Ka pai!

Matua Tobias · Technology Faculty
Mangakōtukutuku College