News from STEM

WEEK 4 | TERM 3

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Mr Da Cruz

Prep

This term in STEM, Prep students will explore two exciting units of work. In the Digital Technology unit, students will learn how to care for and use their iPads responsibly. They will discuss what it means to be safe, respectful and responsible digital citizens while exploring how technology helps us share ideas and communicate. Students will create digital art using the Camera and Mark Up tools, and practise sharing their work safely using Airdrop and Showbie.

In the Coding and Creating unit, students will explore how to give simple instructions to solve problems using the Coding Safari app. They will learn that coding is a way to give directions to computers or digital characters, practising how to plan, test and improve their ideas. Students will combine creativity and problem-solving as they record, design, and code their own mini projects.

Specific Skills:

• Explore how to use iPad tools such as the Camera, Mark Up and Keynote to create digital work.
• Learn how to care for iPads and follow safe online behaviours.
• Practise sharing their learning safely using Airdrop and Showbie.
• Follow simple coding steps to give instructions and solve problems.
• Reflect on what it means to be a responsible and creative digital citizen.
• Use Robotic devices such as Beebots to put their understanding of coding into practise. 

Year 1

During Digital Technologies, Year 1 students have been building confidence using digital tools to create and share their learning. A strong focus has been placed on establishing routines, expectations and a class user agreement to support safe, respectful and responsible use of devices. Students explored basic iPad functions, created simple digital content and began their coding journey through hands-on activities, while developing an understanding of eSafety and safe online behaviours.

Specific Skills:

• followed routines and expectations for safe and responsible use of devices, including a class user agreement
• explored digital tools to create and share simple content such as photos and drawings
• developed early coding and sequencing skills while practising eSafety and responsible online behaviours

Two

This term in STEM, Grade 2 students will explore two connected units of work. In the Digital Technology unit, students will learn how to use their iPads safely, responsibly and creatively. They will discuss how technology helps us to share ideas and solve problems, while learning about keeping personal information private and safe online. 

Students will create digital artwork using the Camera, Mark Up and Keynote tools, and practise sharing their work responsibly using Airdrop and Showbie.

In the Coding and Creating unit, students will explore how to give and follow simple instructions using coding concepts. They will use apps such as Kodable and Coding Safari to further develop problem-solving, sequencing and reasoning skills. Students will apply their learning by creating short projects that combine creativity and technology, showing how digital tools can be used to communicate ideas effectively.

Specific Skills:

• Explore how to use iPad tools such as Camera, Mark Up and Keynote to create and share digital work.
• Learn how to care for iPads and follow safe online behaviours.
• Practise sharing their learning safely using Airdrop and Showbie.
• Follow and describe sequences of steps to solve coding challenges.
• Reflect on what it means to be a responsible and creative digital citizen.
• Introduction to the Sphero robotic devices to develop their coding skills.

Three

This term in STEM, Grade 3 students will explore two exciting units of work.

In the Digital Technology unit, students will investigate how computer parts work together to complete a task. They will learn about input and output devices, how information moves through a system, and why order and precision matter when giving instructions. Students will demonstrate their understanding through hands-on challenges and short discussions about real world technology.

In the Coding and Creating unit, students will explore how to give clear, step by step instructions to solve problems. They will begin with the Cups Coding Challenge, using unplugged coding to build algorithms without screens, and then apply their learning in the Kodable app on iPads. Later, students will connect coding to the real world by following Lego building instructions in pairs, linking teamwork and collaboration with algorithmic thinking.

Specific Skills:

• Identify and describe computer parts and their functions.
• Understand how input, process, and output connect in a digital system.
• Follow and create simple algorithms using unplugged coding.
• Use the Coding Safari and Sphero devices to plan, test and debug code.
• Work collaboratively to build and solve problems using Lego instructions.

Four

This term in STEM, Grade 4 students will deepen their understanding of how computers follow instructions and how coding connects to real world design.

In the Digital Technology unit, students will explore how information travels through computer parts such as the CPU, monitor, and keyboard. They will identify input and output devices, describe their functions, and work together to act out how data moves through a computer.

In the Coding and Collaboration unit, students will take part in the Cups Coding Challenge, where they create, test and debug unplugged code in teams. They will then apply these concepts digitally through the Coding Safari app, practising prediction, problem solving, and logical thinking. Later in the term, students will follow Lego instructions in pairs to explore algorithms and teamwork, before designing their own short sequences.

Specific Skills:

• Describe how digital systems use input, process, and output.
• Create and debug simple algorithms using unplugged coding.
• Use the Kodable app and Spheros to apply sequencing and problem solving skills.
• Work collaboratively to follow and create Lego building algorithms.
• Reflect on how teamwork and persistence improve problem solving.

Five

This term in STEM, Grade 5 students will explore how digital systems, coding, and design thinking connect to problem solving in the real world.

In the Digital Technology unit, students will examine how information is collected, stored, and transferred through digital systems. They will explore how computers use input, process, and output to complete tasks efficiently. Through discussions and interactive activities, students will investigate the role of hardware and software in everyday technology.

In the Coding and Creating unit, students will build on their prior coding knowledge to design and test their own algorithms. They will take part in the Cups Coding Challenge to strengthen their understanding of sequencing, then apply this knowledge in Kodable. Working in pairs, students will follow and create their own set of building instructions, linking algorithms to design and problem solving processes.

Specific Skills:

• Identify and describe the roles of hardware and software in a digital system.
• Understand how data moves through input, process, and output stages.
• Create, test, and debug algorithms to solve real world problems.
• Apply coding skills using the Kodable and hands on building challenges.
• Reflect on how persistence and teamwork contribute to successful problem solving.

Six

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