STEM

Boorowa Central has been lucky enough to be one of the schools selected to participate in the exciting program 'Seeds in Space'. One

Giant Leap Australia Foundation is sending in a rocket with native golden wattle seeds to the International Space Station in early December 2020.

In collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) the seeds will live in space for six months, returning to Australia in time for Science Week 2021.

Supported by the Australian Space Agency, the 'What'll happen with the wattle??!' programme is being offered to more than 150 schools, scout groups and Australian Air Force Cadets across Australia.

A community panel judged the applications that included 200 words and a short video, explaining what the schools would do with the wattle once it had grown. Our application explained three things that we felt scientifically most important:

To plant the seeds in the North-Western corner of the Agriculture Plot.
Compare the behaviour of our local Superb Parrots as to whether they prefer earth seeds or space seeds more.
If we could taste the difference between the two seeds in homemade wattle-seed ice cream.

Next year our school will receive wattle seeds that have flown to space, plus seeds that have not. The seeds are from the same seed lot. Students are asked to germinate and grow their seeds, recording data about the germination and seed growth. Data will be uploaded to the 'What'll happen to the wattle??!' app.

Throughout the programme, One Giant Leap Australia Foundation will run teleconferences and provide educational support to participating groups.

The one to two-year project will result in the creation of a nationwide map identifying the location of Australia's 'space wattle' trees.

The project is an historic opportunity for Australian schools and students.

Mr Corcoran l Head Teacher AMPS

Learning Hub News

On Monday 9 November 2020, the students from the Learning Hub had the opportunity to travel in the school bus to Goulburn to gain some experience with sports they don't always play.

It was an early start – departure time was 7:30 am because the trip takes 1.5 hours, the arrival in Goulburn was at 9:00 am – when the Veolia Arena opened.

It wasn't so much learning the games themselves but more a matter of working on some of the skills you need to play them well.

We played AFL, NRL, Cricket, League-Tag, Boccia, Minigolf and Volleyball.

Tyler had a great experience working out how to ride a bike from one side of the hall to the other and managed extremely well considering it was his first time.

It was a great day out and thanks to Mrs Hawkins who first saw the promotion and thought of the Hub students - we just got our entries submitted in the nick of time!

Thank you, Mr and Mrs Keighley, for taking us it was a fun day.

And the winner is....

Congratulations Fleur!

A huge congratulations to Year 12 student Fleur Corcoran whose Body of Work 'Washed Ashore' was announced the winner of the high school section of Intereach’s National Children’s Week Art Competition.

Intereach works to strengthen and support communities and to improve the social and personal well being of children, families, older people, careers and people with a disability. The theme of this years competition was 'nature'.

Congratulations to Fleur on her well-deserved win!

Miss Alison Packwood I Visual Art Teacher

Year 10 Work Experience

Our Year 10 students are currently doing work experience at various businesses in the community and beyond. We have received positive feedback from all employers and some insightful comments from the students.

Nathan is doing work experience at Lincoln Electric at Padstow. He is spending the week learning how to use all of the latest metalwork machinery. His employer said:

'Nathan is going great, better then I expected. He sure does know a lot about the trade and I can honestly say I'm impressed.'

Hannah, a budding Zoologist, spent work experience at Rye Park Primary School as she was unable to secure a place at a zoo or animal park. She said that she has been genuinely surprised about how much she has enjoyed the experience so far. Her favourite part of the day has become the walk that students do every morning. The teacher points out various species of birds and makes what could be a boring activity into something that is both fun and educational.

Zara, who wants to become a Vet, has spent her work experience at the Cowra Pound. She has been learning what it takes to look after abused and/or abandoned animals. Her supervisor has said that she has engaged well with all of the activities and has become an enthusiastic animal carer.

From Cheyenne's boss: 'Cheyenne is doing really well. She is lovely to work with. We hope she is getting some exposure to the industry.

She said she is enjoying it and having fun.

Please find attached some pictures of Cheyenne selecting cushions at our warehouse for a bedroom for an upcoming styling for sale job! Cheyenne is displaying some natural talent for styling.'

Cheyenne wants to become an Interior Decorator.

Meanwhile, David has been working hard in the canteen helping to make us all delicious snacks and lunches. Sam says he's a natural!

Felix has been working with Kindergarten this week. He has reported that it is fun, fulfilling but very tiring work. Mrs Proudford has said that he is working well with the Kinder and Year 1 students where he has been a great help and very popular with the children.

Mrs Willow Bridge I Careers Adviser

Matters of Interest

Community news