STEM

Over the last few months, the following students have been working on projects to compete in the State-wide Science Talent Search competition. They have spent their own time, planning, researching and putting together a project about an area of science that interests them. Students have shown great discipline and resilience to complete their projects. Some of their project artefacts will be on display in the STEM room next week as part of National Science Week.

Congratulations to all students who participated – you have done a great job!

Prep - In Term Three, students are focusing on physical sciences - the study of non-living things. They will be investigating how things move. During the last couple of weeks, we have identified common movements that objects make (e.g. rolling, sliding, bouncing and spinning). Students have practised hand movements to represent the different movement types and have investigated whether different objects roll, slide, bounce or spin.

Year 1s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to solve simple problems using a Tale-Bot Pro robot. During the last couple of weeks, they have finished working on their zoo visit and investigated attaching arms to the Tale-Bot Pro robot. Arms were used to collect blocks and move them to a specific location.

Year 2s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to solve complex problems using a Tale-Bot Pro robot. During the last couple of weeks, they have finished working on their colour activity and have extended their understanding of robot arms to collect multiple blocks and move them to a specific location.

Year 3s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to solve simple problems using a VinciBot robot. During the last couple of week, they have focused on using the effect blocks to have the VinciBot robot perform dances, show emotions and perform actions while following predefined paths. Students have also learned how to display different images and words on the VinciBot robot screen.

Year 4s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to solve simple problems using a VinciBot robot. During the last couple of weeks, they have learned about different sensors on the robot. Students have used the colour sensor to program the VinciBot robot to perform specific actions when they detect a particular colour. 

Year 5s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to solve problems using a micro:bit. During the last couple of weeks, they have focused on creating variable blocks that can be defined and changed. Students have used their understanding to create a Rock, Paper, Scissors program where the micro:bit selects an outcome at random. They have also learned about the 'turtle' blocks which allow the LEDs on the screen to move. 

Year 6s - In Term Three, students are focusing on digital technologies, specifically how to use peripheral devices to solve problems using a micro:bit. During the last couple of weeks, they have learned how to attach continuous motors using the pins on the bottom of the micro:bit. Students have coded the motors to move in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions as well as stop.

Sandy Brewerton

STEM Teacher