STEM

Foundation

This term, the Foundation students will engage in a series of hands-on investigations and design challenges inspired by problems faced by characters in well-known children’s literature. They will design and construct a variety of items, such as a bed for Goldilocks, a bridge strong enough to hold an elephant, and imaginative ‘Wild Things’ made from cardboard and Makedo (reusable plastic screws).

Through these creative challenges, students will explore the properties and characteristics of different materials, test the effectiveness of their designs, and make improvements based on their observations. This unit aims to develop students’ understanding that objects are designed to meet specific needs, while encouraging curiosity, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Year 1/2

This term, our Year 1/2 students have been exploring the fascinating world of homes and how they are designed to meet different needs. The unit began with a local investigation into the types of houses and apartments in our own neighbourhoods of Brunswick and Carlton North. Students looked closely at the materials used and the typology of each home—whether it was an apartment, terrace house, or detached house.

From there, students expanded their learning to include portable and temporary homes, such as huts, tents, teepees, and tiny homes. They discovered how homes are influenced by the materials available, the environment, and the needs of the people living in them.

Coming up, students will explore how houses are designed for different climates. They’ll investigate how features like flat or sloped roofs and houses built on stilts are clever design solutions that respond to weather conditions such as heat, rain, or flooding.

Science Week - Theme: Decoding the Universe 

This week, our Foundation and Year 1/2 students celebrated Science Week with a special hands-on activity focused on animal tracks and trace evidence.

They learnt that deciphering tracks and trace evidence is a bit like ‘decoding’ because you’re using clues to figure out what happened. Just like a code has hidden messages that you need to break down and understand, tracks and trace evidence (like footprints, fingerprints, or pieces of hair or fabric) tell a story—but not in words. Instead, you have to look closely at the details, ask questions, and use your thinking skills to work out what the clues mean.