The Tech Cube Program

The Winston Wong Tech Cube provides the canvas for 21st-century learning that gives TAS students the necessary skills and experience they need to make a real difference in the world. 

The 4,380 square meters of creative space provides unique opportunities for all of our students, with six floors of facilities for students to pursue learning in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. 

The Tech Cube is divided into three different parts, providing a specialized and differentiated experience for Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School students. 

More advanced equipment is housed on the top floors, including the High-Performance Computer Lab, an Electronics Lab, and state of the art Computer Science Classrooms for exploring AI, Machine Learning, CAD Design and other current topics in Computer Science and Engineering. 

On the fifth floor, with expansive views of the Taipei cityscape and the mountain ranges of Taiwan sits the Tech Cube’s world class fabrication shop. The fabrication floor is home to a wide array of CNC Machines, A 3-meter water jet cutter, laser cutters, and state of the are 3D printing capabilities including metal printing, carbon fiber, nylon, SLS and SLA style printers, and even printers designed by students.  

In addition to 3D computer-aided design (CAD) skills, students also learn state of the art computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) methods, as well as welding, powder coating and other industry standard fabrication methods.  

The lofty, open floor plan and state of the art equipment inspire students to construct robots that weigh hundreds of pounds, compete in competitions around the world and extend the reach of human abilities.  

The sixth floor of the building is spacious and open, containing a full sized FRC competition arena and several Vex competition arenas so students can test their designs. As one of the largest robotic competition spaces in Asia, the Tech Cube hosts teams from around the world to offer training and learning opportunities. 

In the Lower School, technology is an ever-changing tool that we integrate into the core subjects in addition to exposure through the Tech Cube program.

We know that hardware and software change quickly; therefore, the TAS Tech Cube program focuses on transferable life skills. Students learn digital citizenship, internet safety, and digital literacy skills as they share Google Docs, maintain blogs, program, research, create media projects, and present information. Programming in robotics and developing keyboarding skills round out the lower school technology experience.

In their robotics classes, students practice critical thinking skills as they plan, program, test, and communicate using a variety of tools. The robotics program starts with learning and understanding the basic language that is used in programming (coding). This language is then later transferred into learning how to program a Bee-Bot, a programmable floor robot used to teach directional language and programming to children in KA and kindergarten. Students then move into programming LEGO WeDo and LEGO Mindstorm robots where the focus is on gathering and analyzing data from sensors to solve real life problems.

In keyboarding, students practice touch typing to help them communicate information effectively and efficiently. These strategies develop muscle memory, key recognition, fingering positioning, and correct posture. We use programs that guide students through sequential lessons, such as Dance Mat Typing in Grade 2 and UltraKey in Grades 3-5.

In terms of access, students in Grades KA-3 utilize iPads in their classrooms to explore, learn, and create. Students in Grades 3-5 have 1:1 laptop access, which allows them to communicate and collaborate, research, analyze, and apply information in their classroom setting. All students also have access to two fully equipped desktop computer labs.

Find out more about our most recent STEAM courses in the Lower School Curriculum guide.

In the Middle School, we believe that all of our students must be agile, adaptable, and independent in an ever-expanding community of learners.

STEAM at the Middle School level is inherently (and intentionally) interdisciplinary and covers our Science & Engineering courses, Robotics courses, and Art + Innovation courses.

Technology expands the potential for constructivist learning by connecting students to a constantly changing body of knowledge. By manipulating different media, students can learn from and contribute to every form of knowledge. The ability to gather, analyze, synthesize and interpret information is a cornerstone of this philosophy. Digital learning experiences harness the innovation of technology, encapsulating authentic opportunities for independent thinking and creativity. TAS provides students with collaborative learning opportunities that allow for inquiry and investigation. Thus, students have opportunities to responsibly contribute to the learning of others within the global community.

Through our various STEAM courses, students engage in the engineering design process to identify problems, generate solutions, design, build, and improve upon their robots and programs.

Students learn about mechanical engineering, fundamentals of automation, and visual and text-based programming in a collaborative, challenging, reflective, and fun environment. Our goal is to provide students with the experiences and knowledge to pursue further robotic and computer science-based interests.

Find out more about our most recent required and elective robotics courses in the Middle School Curriculum guide.

The technology journey deepens and culminates in our award-winning computer science and robotics offerings at the Upper School level.

Our computer science and robotics department seeks to encourage students to become creative, team-oriented, and technologically skilled lifelong learners. We believe this is best done through a combination of skill acquisition and team-based projects, in an environment which encourages exploration, self-advocacy, and internationally competitive standards.

All students starting out in the CS/Robotics department are required to take a Level 1 course as an introduction to the program. This will give students new to CS/Robotics a skill set specialization in either Control Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Programming. 

In Level 2 courses and beyond, students will be challenged to continually stretch their technical ability and understanding with topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Robotic Engineering, Machine Learning, Quantum Computing, Video Game Design, and Control System Dynamics.

Students who pursue Computer Science and Robotics at Taipei American School will find themselves exceptionally well prepared to study Electrical, Mechanical, and Software Engineering at the college level, and will leave the program with useful lifelong skills in programing, design, and fabrication.

The department also sponsors a variety of extracurricular teams with a significant programming and engineering elements, including: FIRST FRC, VEX Robotics Competition, the International Rube Goldberg Competition, and the Computer Science Team, and VR club.

TAS Upper School students must satisfy a 1/2 credit CS/Robotics requirement.

Find out more about our most recent required and elective robotics courses in the Upper School Curriculum guide.