STSS

Years F,1,2 Exploring Materials, Coding, and Design

This term, our Year 3–4 students have been busy exploring the fascinating world of materials, coding, and design. 

In Science, they investigated how materials can change physically when heated, cooled, or manipulated  from melting and freezing to folding and reshaping  and discussed how temperature affects both objects and our bodies. 

In Digital Technologies, students continued developing their coding skills in Scratch Jr., learning to program characters to bounce or dribble a basketball using both guided and problem-solving approaches. 

Meanwhile, in Design and Technologies, students explored how natural and artificial materials are used for different purposes, linking material properties to design. They also applied this understanding creatively by weaving recycled paper baskets, combining sustainability with practical design skills.

Years 3–4: Choosing the Right Material for the Job

Over the term, students have been investigating the big question: How do you decide which material to use for a particular purpose? 

In Science, they explored the properties of different materials through hands-on experiments, games, and research. They tested absorbency, compared natural and processed materials, and learned how material properties influence their use  from why clay makes a good teapot to how First Nations Peoples skilfully use natural resources like tjanpi and ininti seeds.

In Design and Technologies, students examined how everyday objects are made and who is involved in their creation. After watching a video about toy production, they matched jobs in the manufacturing process to related tasks, researched toy ideas, designed their own creations, and began constructing them using selected materials. 

In Digital Technologies, students continued developing their coding and problem-solving skills in Grok Academy’s Monster Maker program, combining creativity and logic as they brought their digital monsters to life.

Years 5–6: Science and Design in Action

This term, our Year 5–6 students have been exploring how science and design work hand-in-hand to solve real-world problems through a series of engaging, hands-on lessons. 

In Science, they investigated the properties and behaviours of materials through experiments involving oxidation, oil spills, and chemical reactions. They explored how acids and bases interact by creating invisible ink, tested ways to clean up simulated oil spills, and observed oxidation in apple slices to understand reversible and irreversible changes. These experiments helped students connect scientific concepts to environmental issues such as pollution, waste management, and sustainability. 

In Design and Technologies, students built on this understanding by examining the impact of different packaging materials and reflecting on their purpose, sustainability, and effect on the environment. They worked collaboratively to create posters and complete digital design tasks, developing creative ideas for improving packaging and reducing waste. 

Together, these Science and Design lessons encouraged critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation empowering students to think about how scientific knowledge can inspire more sustainable design choices in the future.

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