S.T.E.A.M.
Science Technology Engineering Arts Maths
Week Seven and Eight in STEAM
In week seven the Preps, Grade Ones and Grade Twos revisited the story of The Garden Project and looked at what we need to do to cultivate a thriving vegetable garden at school. They finished their sustainable garden designs which are now on display in the STEAM room and they look fantastic. The students also got out into the vegetable garden and set about removing lots of weeds and plenty of snails to prepare our garden for planting. In week eight the Preps, Grade Ones and Grade Twos looked at the story of The Hidden Rainbow by Christie Matheson and explored the importance of bees and flowers in a sustainable garden. They did a bit more weeding in the vegetable garden and started to prepare the soil. They also began a mini unit on Light and Sound. They conducted an experiment looking at sound waves and used a tuning fork to hear and feel sound vibrations and observed how the vibrations from the tuning fork could be used to make water move.
In week seven and eight the Grade Threes put the contents of the scrap paper bin in the STEAM room to good use by turning it into new sheets of recycled paper. First they tore the paper into small pieces and then blended it with water to create paper pulp before putting the pulp onto deckle screens to dry. The students had a great time creating recycled paper and impressed themselves with the fabulous results. They also conducted a light refraction experiment where they created a colourful drawing on paper, placed it inside a zip lock bag and traced the outline of their picture using black permanent marker. They then immersed the bag in water. When viewed from above the water the colour seemed to disappear.
In week seven the Grade Fours participated in a cardboard upcycling challenge where they worked in teams to use the design process to create interesting designs using mainly cardboard. When these were completed, the Preps then judged the finished work based on the success criteria. In week eight the Grade Fours completed a light refraction experiment where a colourful illustration was placed inside a plastic bag and dipped into water making the illustration appear to disappear.
In week 7 and 8 the Grade Five classes began work on a project using the design process to upcycle old textiles to create a new product. This was based on the picture storybook of The Jacket by Sue-Ellen Pashley that explores concepts around sustainable fashion and upcycling. They began by brainstorming ideas then selecting a concept to develop. They created detailed designs and have begun the process of creating their products using sewing and surface design skills.
Where can I recycle that thing?
ACPS students in grades Prep to Five have brainstormed and researched to bring you this list to help you be more sustainable:
| Batteries | ALDI Bunnings Stores Ikea Stores*Manningham Mini Recycling Stations |
| Fluorescent light globes | *Manningham Mini Recycling Stations Ikea Stores |
| CDS and DVDs | *Manningham Mini Recycling Stations Office Works |
| Incandescent and LED light bulbs | Ikea Stores |
| Audio and tech accessories | Office Works |
| Ink and toner cartridges | Office Works |
| Pens and markers | Office Works |
| Small Electrical waste | *Manningham Mini Recycling Stations |
| X Rays | *Manningham Mini Recycling Stations |
| Printer cartridges | *Manningham Mini Recycling Stations |
| Worn/damaged/unusable clothing, linen and other textiles/fabric of any brand | H&M stores Zara stores |
| Excess cardboard | Ikea Stores |
Footwear including: Thongs and slides Football and soccer Boots Leather sports shoes Hiking boots Sneakers Trainers Runners Golf Shoes Gumboots | Tread Lightly bins at the following stores: ASICS JD Sports Rebel New Balance Hype The Athlete’s Foot Merrell Platypus Nike The Trybe Mac Pac Hush Puppies CLARKS Glue Stores |
| Audio and tech accessories | Office Works |
| Ink and toner cartridges | Office Works |
| Broken or unwanted plastic, metal and plush toys (non electronic only) | Toys for Joy bins at Big W stores |
| Old whitegoods and TVs | Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre |
| Paint | Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre |
| Cans and bottles | Container Deposit Scheme sites |
| Mattresses | Nillumbik Recycling Centre |
| Polystyrene | Foamex Victoria |
*Manningham Mini Recycling Stations are located at libraries, the council offices and depot
Lego Club
Lego Club runs on Mondays during lunchtime in the STEAM room. Everyone is welcome!
Kate Misra