Innovation & Design

Innovation & Design November Newsletter

Foundation 

Our Foundation students have explored some exciting topics in Innovation and Design. 

They have had the opportunity to get hands-on experience with Seesaw, a software program used at school, helping them become more comfortable with basic digital tools.

Students have begun learning about cyber safety. They have discovered the difference between being online and being offline when talking and playing. 

Our Foundation students have also identified 5 trusted adults at home, at school or in the community that they can come to for help. 

Next, they will be learning about what the internet is and some basic Online Safety Rules to help them navigate digital spaces responsibly.

Year 1

Over the past couple of weeks the Year 1 students have learned about the process of how food travels from the farm to the supermarket and finally to our plates, helping them understand where our food comes from and the journey it takes to get to us.

Students have shown their understanding about the design cycle phases and ordered these correctly in a Seesaw Assessment task.

Students have also explored their creativity by brainstorming design ideas for an origami boat and drawing their own designs, developing their problem-solving and artistic skills.

Year 2

Over the past few weeks, our Year 2 students have worked hard at meeting a design challenge for designing a bridge to carry 6 trucks per day over Donnybrook road. They have drawn detailed design plans for a bridge to scale and have written a construction plan, including a material list to build their bridge using recycled materials. The children have thoroughly enjoyed this design challenge and will finish off this week by testing their bridges under stress and reflecting and critiquing their bridge designs.

Further into the term, students will focus on making positive choices when using technology. They will learn how to use digital tools responsibly and practise safe and thoughtful online behaviours.

It’s going to be a term filled with creativity, construction, and responsible tech use!

Year 3

This term, students have been learning about different computer hardware devices and their specific purposes. Understanding how these devices function and how they are used will give them a solid foundation in technology.

We will also be exploring how fabric is joined together. Students will practise key sewing skills, including threading a needle, mastering the overhand and running stitches, and finishing off rows of stitches neatly. These practical activities will help develop fine motor coordination and creativity.

Additionally, we will focus on critical thinking. Students will learn how to carefully evaluate the information they read or observe online, honing their ability to identify reliable sources and make informed decisions.

It's going to be a term full of valuable learning experiences!

Year 4

This term, Year 4 students will be investigating how people address important considerations like sustainability. They will explore how making eco-friendly choices can impact the environment and learn about sustainable practices in everyday life. This will help students develop a greater understanding of responsible decision-making when it comes to protecting our planet.

Along with this, students will be using various tools and equipment in the Kitchen for preparing fruit skewers, chocolate balls and other yummy recipes. A key focus will be on ensuring they use these tools safely and responsibly, following proper guidelines to avoid any accidents.

This term promises to be both insightful and practical as students engage in thoughtful learning and safe, hands-on activities!

Year 5

In Term 4, Grade 5 students will be diving into exciting projects in Innovation and Design. They will begin by learning how to gather and organise information effectively. Students will then design and create their own infographics to present the data in a visually engaging way, making complex information easier to understand.

Additionally, students will explore the strategies used by games and social media to capture and keep our attention. By identifying these techniques, they will gain a better understanding of how digital platforms are designed to influence behaviour.

It’s going to be an engaging and creative term as students sharpen both their analytical and design skills!

Year 6

In Year 6 Innovation and Design, we recently completed an exciting unit on origami! We started by learning basic folds like the valley and mountain folds, which are essential building blocks. From there, students advanced to more complex folds, practising how these techniques can transform a flat sheet of paper into intricate shapes. By the end of the unit, each student had the chance to take full creative control, designing and making their own unique origami projects.

This hands-on experience helped students develop important skills such as patience, focus, and precision. It also showed them how traditional arts like origami can inspire creativity and innovation. Many students produced fantastic designs that demonstrated their ability to turn simple materials into something truly impressive.

Their final creations were inspiring to see, and each student took pride in their work. Origami has truly sparked their creativity this term!

Reminder for students and parent/carers:

Students are learning about cyber safety and will require their device. We kindly ask that iPads are brought to school fully charged, ready for learning.