Inquiry

This term, Year 6 students are exploring how sustainable design can address the environmental challenges posed by different climates. Through hands-on learning, students will investigate how climate affects housing, and how innovative design can reduce environmental impact.

Major Project: Sustainable Home Design

In small teams, students will:

• Research a climate zone (e.g., alpine, desert, tropical)
• Design a sustainable home suited to that climate
• Draw a scaled floor plan
• Build a model or digital representation (Minecraft Edu + Merge Cube)
• Present their design and learning at our Term 3 Inquiry Expo

They’ll also explore budgeting, energy efficiency, and environmental impact through a cross-curricular lens that includes Maths, English, Geography, and STEAM.

What Your Child Will Learn

• The science of climate zones and how they affect the way people live
• How to design for sustainability using real-world strategies (e.g., solar power, water tanks, passive heating)
• Key maths skills like scale, geometry, measurement and data interpretation
• How to present information through speaking, writing, and visual modelling
• Coding and technology using Micro:bits to simulate sustainable systems (e.g., smart lighting, ventilation, water sensors)