Year 4/5/6

Final Project: Building a Submarine!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We’re excited to share details about the incredible final project our students are working on—building a submarine! This multidisciplinary project brings together science, design, and teamwork as students collaborate to create a vessel inspired by the Nautilus, the famous submarine from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

As part of the project, students are diving deep into research, writing reports on fascinating deep-sea animals to understand the environments a submarine might encounter. They’re also learning about the properties of materials to determine what would make a submarine functional and durable under extreme underwater conditions. Alongside this, they are exploring the science behind how submarines operate, including concepts such as buoyancy, pressure, and propulsion.  Additionally, students are exploring different types of energy and how it can be harnessed to power their submarine, discussing modern energy sources like electricity, renewable energy, and traditional methods of propulsion.

The highlight of the project is designing their own submarine. Each group is tasked with incorporating features of the Nautilus while applying modern knowledge of engineering and materials. This hands-on experience not only sparks creativity but also strengthens problem-solving skills and reinforces teamwork as students collaborate to bring their ideas to life.

We encourage you to ask your child about their submarine project and what they are learning about deep-sea exploration, materials, and engineering. It’s been incredible to watch their curiosity and teamwork shine during this project.

Thank you for your ongoing support. If you have any questions or would like more details about the project, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Curriculum Links:

This project is aligned with several outcomes from the NSW Curriculum:

• Science and Technology (ST2-14BE & ST3-14BE): Students explore the design and use of technologies in solving real-world problems, specifically the functionality and purpose of submarines.
• Science (ST2-13MW & ST3-13MW): Students investigate the properties of materials and how they are suited to specific purposes, particularly in designing underwater vessels.
• English (EN2-2A & EN3-2A): Students engage in writing informative reports about deep-sea animals, focusing on clear, accurate, and well-structured communication.
• Personal Development and Teamwork (PD2-10 & PD3-10): Students develop collaborative skills, working effectively in groups to achieve a shared goal.