Science Education

“A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.”

– Charles Darwin

🧪️ STEM Job of the fortnight:

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronic engineers design and maintain machinery with electronic and computer control systems, such as aircraft, robots, motor vehicles, cameras, power generators as well as mining and chemical plant machinery.

🏗 Remote Learning Lego Masters Competition

During Term 3 Remote learning, all St Raphael's students were given the opportunity to participate in the 'St Raphael's Lego Masters Competition' that was assigned in the Wellbeing Google Classroom. I wanted to say a big thank you to the students who extended their learning, imaginations and engineering skills to participate in this competition. I would like to announce the 4 winners and share their creations with you. Congratulations to each of the young women who are inspiring STEM in our community.

Each of the students will receive a small prize when they return to school to acknowledge their effort and achievement.

Foundation L: Lilla Gauntlett

1/2R: Jasmine Horkos

3/4A: Ava Dos Santos

3/4L : Niamh Maher

💡CEM STEM MAD Showcase

I am excited to announce, that once again St Raphael's Primary School has qualified for the annual Catholic Education STEM MAD (Make a Difference) Competition. During remote learning, all Year 3-6 students worked through the Design Thinking process to design a solution to 'Cure COVID Bored' in children.

As a result, 3 teams of students have been selected to have the opportunity to move forward in the competition and create a 3.5-minute video/digital portfolio of their prototype and the process of developing their prototype. A big congratulations to:

Team 1: Carla Hanley and Keeley Hanley

Team 2: Stella Galati, Gessica Rizzo, Giordana Torcasio and Connie Zhang

Team 3: Maya Valenzuela

🔭 Science Supernova Award Recipients:

Term 4, Week 1.

Please see the image below, celebrating the Science Supernova Award Recipients for Term 4, Week 1. A big congratulations to all students for a wonderful week of science learning!

🔨 F-2: Week 1, Simple Machines

Physical Sciences

Simple Machines

Learning Intention

Students will be able to explore the 6 types of simple machines and observe how they can make work easier.

Success Criteria

Students can create their own catapult machine, that works like a lever, which is a type of simple machine.

🥼 3-6: Week 1, The Dancing Scientist

Chemical Sciences

The Dancing Scientist performs experiments

Learning Intention

Students will be able to learn about chemical sciences by watching demonstrations of the Dancing Scientist performing experiments using different chemicals.

Success Criteria

Students can identify new concepts in chemical science, improve scientific literacy and wonder and question new scientific information.

❄️ Delivering milk bottles to school!

A big thank you to all the students who have been collecting milk bottles during remote learning, for the Igloo STEM project. Students can deliver all their clean milk bottles to the STEM/Music space from week 2.

Please ensure all milk bottles and lids are thoroughly washed with detergent.

📧 Contact Details

Patty Luna: pluna@srprestonwest.catholic.edu.au

Please note, I will respond to emails Monday to Friday, between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm.