STEM

Welcome back for 2026! This year we welcome Peter (Performing Arts) and Laura (Mandarin) into the Specialist team. 2026 is sure to be busy and exciting as we work towards our Specialist Fair later in the year (date TBC).

STEM Vocabulary 

To begin the year, there is some important vocabulary that we will be using at each year level that is appropriate to the topic and age. This vocabulary supports their understanding of concepts they are learning about, and can be built on throughout the term. Below are some vocabulary words that students will be using to begin the term. 

Foundation

5 senses- Ways that our body is able to gather information about the world.

Sight- Using our eyes to see shapes, colours, light and movement. 

Sounds- Using our ears to listen to sounds, music and voices. 

Smell- Using our nose to detect different scents and odours. 

Taste- Using our taste buds on our tongue to identify flavours 

Touch- Using our skin to feel textures, temperatures and pain.

Year 1 and 2

Testable questions- A science question that can be answered by conducting an experiment, making observations, and measuring results.

Compare- Find similarities and differences.

Data- Facts found from observation.

Year 3 and 4

Living things - organisms that have the ability to grow, breathe, eat, move, and create more of their own kind.

Non-living things- objects that do not have life, meaning they do not breathe, eat, grow, move on their own, or create more of their own kind.

Organism- A living thing, such as a plant or animal.

Evidence- Proof that something is true.

Year 5 and 6

Light- A form of energy that travels in straight lines and lets us see. 

Artificial light- Light made by humans. 

Natural light- Light from a natural source.

Emit- To send out or give off.

Reflect- To bounce light off a surface.

Opaque- A material that doesn't let any light pass through.

Translucent- A material that lets some light pass through, but you can't see clearly through it.

Transparent- A material that lets all light pass through, so you can see clearly through it.