STEM News

STEM Lab News for Term 2

From Physics to Building: Design Term is Here!

In our STEM Lab, Term 1 was all about exploring the science of physics — pushing, pulling, heating, cooling, bending and bouncing light. This term, students are putting that knowledge to work.

We've launched into the full Design & Technology process in Term 2: 

research → design → build → test → improve → communicate

Most grades are deep into the designing phase right now and will begin building next week. Here's what each year level is creating:

PREP — Forces (Push & Pull)

Designing and building a moving toy that uses pushes and pulls.

YEAR 1 & 2 — Forces (Gravity & Friction)

Building a marble run — Year 1s with at least 2 direction changes, Year 2s with 3 turns, force arrows, and an optional magnetic element.

YEAR 3 & 4 — Heat & Insulation

Designing an insulated lunch box from recycled materials that can keep an ice cube from melting.

YEAR 5 & 6 — Light Behaviour

Building a light or laser maze using mirrors and researched components to demonstrate reflection, refraction, and absorption.

♻️ A Big Thank You — and One More Ask!

A huge thank you to every family who donated recycled materials over the school holidays. Your bottle caps, cardboard rolls, foam offcuts, and everything in between are already finding their way into student designs — it's wonderful to see!

We still need one item per student for the builds ahead:

Year 1 & 2 — A box lid (e.g. shoebox lid or similar flat tray)

Year 3 & 4 — A container with a lid (e.g. takeaway container, lunch box, or similar)

Year 5 & 6 — A small open box  (e.g. shoe boxes are ideal)

Prep - we don't need any specific donations anymore but if your child finds a recycled item they want to use in their design, please still send it with their NAME & GRADE clearly labelled on it.

Whilst we do have a number of items already donated, we don't have enough for every student across the school to build their own design. Sending extras for other families is always welcome too!

Please send items to your child's STEM lesson with their name and grade written on them. If you're unsure when that is, please check below:

Monday - 3TM, 4TC, 4LW, 2BL, 2EP and PHM

Tuesday - 1CL, 6MT, PLL, PAC and 3HH

Wednesday - 6MC, 6TF, 5DW, 2DM and 1MC

Thursday - 4LT, 2TN, PMM, 5AN, 1HL and 1LJ

Friday - 3SJ, 3CG, 5AC, 4MP and 1HP

Hope all our students enjoy this term of design and building! 🔨

Shannon & Tom 

STEM Specialist Teachers