Learning and Teaching
Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC)
Last week, the Year 5 and 6 Community went on an excursion to the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC). This was organised as part of their Inquiry unit - The Science of Energy: From Circuits to the Cosmos. How do invisible forces and energy affect the way our world works? Across this unit of work, students are learning that the Earth is part of a dynamic solar system in which forces and energy influence movement, patterns, and changes on Earth and beyond.
At the VSSEC, the students participated in two sessions:
Expedition to the M.A.R.S. Base
This program delivers a scenario-based learning environment that engages the students in a wide range of science activities, uses computer and communications technology and strongly encourages collaborative learning and teamwork. It offers a rich science experience and builds core skills. Students work in Mission Control and at the M.A.R.S. Base:
observing the astronauts working in the Mars Australian Research Station (M.A.R.S.)
using interactive software to monitor systems and solve related problems.
working in pairs to complete hands-on science tasks and communicate their results to Mission Control.
Fully Charged!
Static electricity activities are notoriously prone to the effects of weather and humidity. This program removes the associated uncertainty. The class gains a basic understanding of an area that primary schools find challenging to teach. The program has two parts. Static Electricity and Dancing Alien Robots. Students:
use balloons and an assortment of common items (confetti, etc.) to explore the mysterious nature of electric charge.
are introduced to the properties of static electricity.
use their previous and new understanding to explain how a Van De Graff generator wand can make a Mylar fly.
build a simple circuit which includes an electric motor. They use this as the heart of their own dancing alien robot.
Student reflections:
On our space excursion, we went to the VSSEC where we learnt about static electricity, made dancing robots, went to Mars and space command. We were split into two groups. The first group learnt about static electricity and the second either went to Mars or did space command. Overall it was really fun. The dancing robots we made used a motor to shake the robot around. We did a little dance party as well, it was great. On Mars, we did some experiments at the station, at space command, we were behind computers monitoring things and that was it. I really enjoyed it.
By Alicia
We went to VSSEC last Thursday. We were split into our classes and then into another half. The 1st quarter, we got to put on space suits and went into a Mars lab. We did experiments and tests. While we were in the lab, the other half of the class controlled us on computers, and then we switched. The 2nd half of the day was about magnetic force, electricity and experiments like trying to light up a light bulb with 2 wires and a battery. Overall, it was really fun.
By Bianca
On our space excursion, we went to VSSEC. We started off in 2 groups. At the start, my group got dressed up in space suits and went to Mars. It took 12 months, but we eventually got there. At Mars, we did activities to solve mysteries about Mars while people from Earth asked us questions to collect data from our trip. In the next part, we learnt about electricity and energy with magnets. After we learnt about it, we had to power a light bulb by making a circuit with electricity. We made a dining robot with a motor. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.
By Liam V
We went on a space excursion last Thursday. I started with some experiments on static electricity. At the end of the lesson, we made a dancing robot. Then we got dressed up as astronauts and split into groups - the Earth group and the Mars group. The Mars group went to a space lab and did experiments. The Earth group made sure the people in the lab were ok and that they made it out safely in the emergency evacuation.
By Mabel
The VSSEC is an educational and amazing place to learn about space. Especially going to Mars and finding out about how everything works. It was great and I would give it a 10/10.
By Alexis
Our excursion was fascinating! The place was called VSSEC and we did 2 activities. The first activity was about electricity, where we made dancing robots. We also learnt about how electricity creates cool tricks. Our second activity was about Mars and how astronauts go to places in space. We went to Mars and learnt about what Mars is like.
By Anh
Deborah Courtney
(Director of Learning and Teaching)