STEM

We have had lots of fun in STEM this term - exploring physical sciences, doing lots of coding and demonstrating our design skills!

Our prep students used a variety of everyday objects such as balls, Lego, sponges, pegs etc to learn about how things move as part of our physical sciences unit. We then used our knowledge about movement to sketch and build a prototype (mini model) of a toy that can move. The preps have also had a lot of fun learning how to use the Chromebooks and have used Scratch Jr to create algorithms (codes)!

The Grade 1 and 2s have learnt a lot about push and pull forces by experimenting with a range of objects. We know that when we push things they move away from us, but when we pull things they move towards us. We then worked through the Engineering Design Process to Imagine, Plan (sketch), Create and Improve a new toy design. We also practised giving kind, helpful feedback to others during this unit. The Grade 1s and 2s also practised their coding skills in a variety of ways by using Scratch Jr, Beebots and also offline coding activities such as writing down steps for everyday routines like brushing teeth.

As part of their Physical Sciences unit, the students in Grades 3 and 4 learnt about contact forces such as friction as well as non contact forces including magnetic and electrostatic forces. We had lots of fun experimenting with different shoes on different surfaces and making paper clips “float” using magnets! The Grade 3s and 4s have also worked hard to improve their coding skills by using Scratch to write algorithms with LOOP and IF-THEN blocks.

In Grades 5 and 6, we have been learning all about electricity for our physical sciences unit. We have thought about how important electricity is, the difference between a blackout and brownout as well as possible causes and how to build a working electrical circuit with wires, a battery, a switch and a light bulb. We completed this unit by adding different materials to our circuits to learn about conductors and insulators. The Grade 5 and 6 students also further developed their coding skills and explored how we can use IF-THEN, IF-THEN-ELSE and IF-THEN-ELSE-IF-THEN-ELSE blocks.

We hope you all have a great two weeks of school holidays to rest and reset - we can’t wait to explore all things Chemistry as our Science focus in Term 3!

The STEM team