Students Achieve Global Robotics Recognition
Auckland computer science teacher, Mehwish Hasan, says that the kids she teaches at ACG Sunderland in Auckland often surprise her on the upside with the ideas and capabilities they display when given the opportunity.
“They surprise me all the time. Kids are incredibly creative when you give them the chance. They think bigger than adults sometimes because they’re not afraid to imagine bold ideas. My job is to help them believe that their ideas matter and can actually make a difference.
“I always tell my students there are no “bad ideas” in innovation. I encourage them to ask questions, experiment, make mistakes, and try again. Once they realise their voice is valued, their confidence grows so quickly. I love that the students focus on creating technology with purpose and real-world impact.”
Her students achieved top honours at the Inspired Builds international robotics competition, competing alongside schools from around the globe. Some of the innovations they created include:
• Smart City Rescue Car - a self-driving car system designed to help elderly people get to the hospital safely and on time (see video here)
• Automatic plough revolutionizing the agricultural industry (see video here)
The Inspired Global Robotics Competition is an annual event that brings together students from Inspired schools around the world to showcase their creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills, with ACG Sunderland teams receiving awards for their outstanding ideas and achievements.
“The robotics competition was such a powerful experience for the students. It pushed them to think critically, work under pressure, and believe in their abilities. You could see their confidence grow throughout the journey.
“As part of the Inspired Education network, we are fortunate to benefit from exceptional EdTech initiatives that promote the effective use of technology to enhance teaching and learning. Inspired provides schools with excellent support, resources, and opportunities to help students develop future-ready skills through technology.
“One great example is Day of AI, which Inspired offers to learners aged 4 to 13, introducing artificial intelligence in an engaging and accessible way. I am proud to be the EdTech Lead and to be part of a network that is committed to advancing education through innovation. Inspired offers outstanding activities, competitions, and learning opportunities that empower schools to integrate technology meaningfully in the classroom and enrich the educational experience for all students,” she says.
With a background in telecommunications engineering, Mehwish draws on real-world applications to make technology meaningful and accessible for students from Year 2 through to Year 6. Her robotics programme challenges students to identify genuine problems and engineer solutions using coding platforms and Lego Spike.
“I see collaboration, resilience, and leadership develop naturally. Some students become problem-solvers, while others become encouragers and creative thinkers. One of the most valuable learning moments is watching them manage friendships and work through different opinions respectfully. They learn how to communicate, compromise, and support each other - skills that become lifelong lessons far beyond the classroom.
“Through robotics, students develop computational thinking and real-world problem solving. Even if you become a CEO, no one would like to work with you if you don't have team skills."
In her role at ACG Sunderland, Mehwish is leading the way in responsible AI education, introducing age-appropriate AI concepts from Year 2 and guiding both students and staff to use emerging technology confidently and ethically. Her work was recently highlighted by Rod Smith, Cambridge's Global Director, in a LinkedIn article acknowledging her contribution to AI integration in education.
She was recently shortlisted in the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. From 12,000 nominations globally the awards celebrate educators around the world who go above and beyond to inspire and support their students.
That's the latest accolade of many, Hasan is kind of an over achiever, amongst many other things she a QuiverVision ambassador. The app provides 3D models that spring to life on screen, deepening their students’ understanding of complex concepts across science.
She says the QuiverVision tech “allows me to bring learning to life through augmented reality. Students become so much more engaged when they can interact with their learning in creative ways.”
Hasan is a mentor with SheSharp and a speaker at the SheSharp Google Educator Conference, “I’m passionate about helping others grow and believe leadership is about service - supporting, inspiring, and uplifting people around you. I love encouraging more girls and women to step confidently into technology and leadership spaces and showing them that their voice and ideas truly matter.”
Having been steeped in the tech industry Hasan made the pivot to teaching, “I’ve always liked using technology, and I want my students to see technology as more than just something we use every day. I want them to use technology with purpose, as creators, innovators, and problem-solvers. I want them to understand that technology should be used for the betterment of people and communities. Every piece of technology should have meaning, purpose, and a positive impact on the world around us."
As a telecoms engineer she, “noticed there were not always many women represented in tech spaces. That’s why I think visibility and mentorship are so important. My advice to girls is simple - don’t underestimate yourself. Your ideas and perspective are valuable.
“I’d love to see more hands-on learning, creativity, and real-world problem solving in tech education. Technology should empower students to innovate, collaborate, and create solutions that help people.”