Science Technology Engineering and Maths
STEM
Science Week:
Over the last fortnight, our classrooms have been fizzing, bubbling and foaming as students across the school celebrated Science Week by diving into the world of chemical reactions.
We started with a classic experiment using bi-carb soda and vinegar, where students investigated the question: “Does adding dish soap affect the chemical reaction?” Together, we discovered that while vinegar and bi-carb create bubbling carbon dioxide gas on their own, adding dish soap captures the gas and transforms it into a much stronger, foamier reaction.
Building on this excitement, students then experimented with the famous Elephant’s Toothpaste reaction, comparing concentrated dish soap with diluted dish soap to see which would produce the foamiest eruption. This experiment gave everyone the chance to think like scientists, testing variables and recording observations while also having a lot of fun!
- Our younger students used these hands-on activities to explore how different chemicals react with one another and to begin discussing the properties of materials in everyday life.
- Our older students extended their learning by linking the experiments to the study of acids and alkalis, beginning to build their understanding of the pH scale as a foundation for future science learning.
Science Week has been an opportunity for every student to explore, question and experiment. Over the past two weeks, our school has truly embraced the spirit of curiosity, proving that science is not just something you read about in a book, but something you can see, touch and experience firsthand.
PrintACar Challenge:
After months of hard work, two Craigieburn Primary School teams proudly attended the PrintACar Challenge at Quantum Victoria – A Centre of Excellence and Innovation in STEM Education.
Throughout the last semester, our Year 6 students dedicated themselves to the full design process. They planned, designed, 3D-printed, tested, and reprinted (many, many times!) their very own original car designs. This persistence and creativity paid off when the teams took their cars to the competition track.
At Quantum Victoria, a CO₂ canister was added to each car, sending them rocketing down the race track at thrilling speeds of over 50 km/h! The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the students witnessed the results of their months of innovation in action.
We are eagerly awaiting the final competition results this week, but regardless of the outcome, a big congratulations goes to our Year 6 students for their determination, teamwork and for doing an outstanding job representing Craigieburn Primary School.
ACER Video Game Design Challenge
Craigieburn Primary School is incredibly proud to celebrate the success of Onel from 6D, who achieved an outstanding fifth place in the National STEM Video Game Design Challenge. This competition brings together students from across Australia to showcase their creativity, problem-solving skills and coding abilities in the exciting field of game design.
Onel dedicated many hours outside of class time to bring his vision to life, combining block coding with JavaScript to create his own original game, titled “Darkness”. The game challenges players with clever design, engaging gameplay and unique features that highlight both Onel’s imagination and his growing technical expertise.
Competing at a national level is no small achievement. Onel’s ranking demonstrates not only his strong coding skills but also his persistence, creativity and willingness to take on new challenges. His efforts are a testament to what young learners can accomplish when given the opportunity to explore STEM fields and pursue their passions.
The entire Craigieburn Primary community congratulates Onel on this remarkable accomplishment. We are excited to see how he continues to develop his talent and inspire others in STEM and digital technologies.
