Year 9 STEM Challenge

During National Science Week, the Year 9 students participated in a STEM challenge for four days (15–18 August). The aim of this week was to introduce students to the design thinking process and apply it many times over in order to build their skills in innovation. They learnt about the iterative prototyping process of designing a solution, testing it and figuring out how to improve it. Throughout the week students effectively used their collaborative skills: sharing ideas and providing positive reinforcement for new ideas that were developed along the way.

The STEM challenge week included many engineering challenges including the spaghetti tower challenge and building a Mars Rover using icy poles sticks, wheels and rubber bands. A key theme in the students’ feedback was their rewarding sense of perseverance. As Sofia W comments below, the Year 9 students became more at ease with taking risks and analysing possible points of “failure”:

Being a part of STEM week encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, and make the most of every opportunity presented to me. In particular, the mars rover challenge was very engaging, as I was able to work with my group to overcome any challenges we encountered when working. Towards the end we had very little faith that our rover would work, but being in a room full of people who were working and encouraging us to keep going, gave my group the motivation to keep trying.

The year level visited Swinburne University of Technology to undertake some astronomy activities which included exploring the galaxy using virtual reality headsets and watching 3D movies about the universe. They also toured the university to see where all the different phases of the design thinking process occur. This included viewing robotic assembly lines, 3D printers for concrete and design and brainstorming rooms.

I really enjoyed watching the 3D videos about space and our universe. I found this very informative and I learned lots about our galaxy. Ashani M

The highlight of the week was the coding challenge. They had to build and code a 'grasshopper' robot using lego which they raced and also code spheros (a programmable robot in the shape of a ball) to compete in a 'Sphero Olympics' with obstacles course races and even a game of soccer. Students thoroughly enjoyed the teamwork, competitive spirit and fun during these sessions. They grasped the concepts of coding quickly and with great enthusiasm.

The STEM Challenge week ensured students were actively involved in problem solving and exposed to a wide array of STEM pathways. Jessica Mackenzie, Cameron Hall, Christine Thibou and Steven Hogan assembled a rigorous academic program for the Year 9’s and are thanked for their dedication to the week.

Katrina Davey

Year 9 Challenge Coordinator