Science & STEM News

By Ryan Ringin - Faculty Leader: Technology and Matthew Flight - Teacher: Science

Crazy Ideas College

By Sophie - Year 9

Crazy Ideas College was empowering and encouraging. By assisting us in sharing and presenting our ideas, we were motivated to truly believe in ourselves. Our ideas were, in fact, crazy at first, but by shrinking them down, we were able to come up with a realistic and innovative solution to our problem. We were encouraged to step outside of our comfort zones and confront larger problems that we normally would leave to the adults to tackle. Being able to learn new things, connect with new people and think of new solutions was exciting and insightful.

By Georgia - Year 9

On 7 and 8 May, I travelled to Ballarat Tech School alongside 24 other Year 9s for the Crazy Ideas College Program, where we were tasked with tackling real-world issues we truly cared about. Fuelled by my passion for increasing youth engagement in our community, I teamed up with a group of like-minded people to brainstorm a meaningful solution. We decided to address the need for community unity by creating 'Connecting Cultures', a school-based event designed to celebrate our diverse differences. After hours of planning, we had the chance to present our vision to program sponsors, which was an incredible way to put our ideas into action. This experience not only allowed me to work on a cause I'm passionate about but also helped me grow my confidence in teamwork and public speaking.

Bee Hotel

In Year 10 Agricultural Science, we have spent some time studying about bees. In this unit, we have looked at the important role they play in the agricultural and horticultural industries. In particular, their role in pollination. The students have learned about some of the challenges bees face in their environment including the recent introduction of the Varroa mite and loss of habitat. 

As a fun hands-on activity to finish the term off, our class created a bee hotel to help provide a habitat for native bees and other insects in our students' home gardens.

By Imogen - Year 7

On Tuesday 19 May, our Year 7 classes went to the Ballarat Tech School, where we learned about STEM, and how it is used in all areas of modern life. 

We had three activities, and the first one my class completed was the VR workshop, where we learned about different uses of VR, AR and MR, while having fun completing mini games and virtual rollercoasters in VR. After a break filled with games and Just Dance, we headed back in for our second rotation. 

My personal favourite, the escape rooms, was up next. We had to work together as a team to solve problems and undo the locks on our boxes. Lastly, we learned how machines are used to complete jobs at a large scale and programmed our own bots to pick up flowerpots and move them around. 

Over the course of the day, we learned about so many exciting topics, and I really enjoyed my time at the Tech School.

STEM Engineering Academy Program

By Pippa

While at Ballarat Tech School, not only did we get to meet many other students from other schools, but we also learnt about what engineers, specifically civil engineers, do on a day-to-day basis. We spoke to many engineers and took part in a Windmill Energy project on the first day. On the second day, we learnt about how tiny differences can greatly impact paint, including the role of solvents, binders and other components. 

With the help of Haymes Paint, who provided us with samples, we were also able to create our own colours using pure pigments, which was super cool. We then visited the Haymes Paint factory, where we discovered all the different components involved in making even just white paint. The factory was amazing, and we learnt about their colour design process, including how they currently have over 6,000 colours. We also got to look at the machinery used in the factory, which was really interesting.

The STEM Engineering Academy

This term at Loreto College, we have been proud to have four students participating in the Ballarat Tech School’s annual Engineering Academy program. The Engineering Academy is designed to expose students to the diverse range of career pathways within the broad field of engineering.

Students often hold the misconception that engineering is solely about ensuring bridges stay standing and buildings remain upright, and for some engineers, this is true. However, what is often overlooked is the vast diversity within the profession, spanning areas such as civil, biomedical, and even aerospace engineering. At the heart of all engineers however, is a common thread, a passion for innovation, problem solving, and continually seeking ways to improve our society, communities, and the world around us.

Participation in opportunities like this is especially meaningful here at Loreto College. As an all-girls Catholic school, we are acutely aware of the continued underrepresentation of women in fields such as engineering. This is why we are committed to providing our students with opportunities to explore these areas, empowering them to make informed choices about their futures. We want to ensure our students do not overlook these pathways simply due to a lack of exposure.

Engineering remains the largest employer within STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Yet, only 13% of the Australian engineering workforce is female, despite strong evidence highlighting the benefits of diverse teams (Engineers Australia, 2022). Programs such as the Engineering Academy play an important role in helping to shift this imbalance for future generations.

The students have another two exciting days of the program scheduled in Term 3, and as a school community, we are looking forward to hearing more about their experiences.

Reference:

Engineers Australia. (2022). Women in engineering. https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/women-in-engineering-report-june-2022.pdf