Our Year 7 and 8 students immersed themselves in a jam-packed week of hands-on learning and problem-solving during STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Week.
This is a week where the teachers become the facilitators of the sessions and the students become the investigators - exploring, experimenting, and collaborating in every activity.
To launch the week, our Year 7 students were treated to an inspiring talk by Dr Jane Younger, Antarctic Ecologist. Dr Younger shared fascinating insights into how Antarctic wildlife is adapting to climate change, drawing on her DNA research of penguins and other predators of the icy south. From there, students explored everything from building earthquake-resistant towers and spaghetti bridges to designing eco-friendly Minecraft houses and programming Sphero robots to clean up litter. They tested catapults, engineered paddleboats, tackled the egg drop challenge, and even created circuits using scrap materials. The week concluded with excursions to either Scienceworks or Puffing Billy.
Meanwhile, Year 8s took on forensic science investigations, designed biomimicry gliders, coded rovers, and launched rockets! They also engineered roller coasters, solved puzzles in an escape room, and created wearable eco-solutions. Students ventured to either Werribee Zoo or Healesville Sanctuary, before wrapping up the week with a Design Thinking Challenge focused on protecting marine environments.