Boys Program during Girls STEM Program 

While the Girls were involved in the Monash-run STEM program, the boys were involved in a collaborative, active and critical thinking activities over the 3 days. 

Period one involved everyone participating in one big game of capture the Flag/Bottles, where students had to capture the bottles first, solve a problem and then if successful, capture the Flag. The participation was incredibly high and the teamwork was awesome. In the picture below we have a small group solving a problem to the left, a guard and a group in jail to the right. We also had a small group of year 9 students helping out with equipment and organizing and encouraging the boys. 

Period 2 consisted of a rotation of 3 activities, Coat of Arms/Shield task, a KAHOOT Tournament and a Science Experiment. Student were broken into their homegroups and joined another class of boys. 

Period 3 and 4 were a double and once again the boys rotated through them over the 3 days. They were involved in a Design Competition, Chess Tournament and a Construction task. Materials were supplied and restriction placed on the activities. The boys worked in small groups to compete in the activities, used critical thinking and creativity to solve the problems they encountered. It was very engaging and the students loved it. 

Period 5 consisted of PE, Art Therapy and finishing with the Amazing Race, where once again students worked in teams, communicated, used critically thinking and creativity to compete and finish on a high. 

A big thanks goes out to the Year 9 helpers and the Team that designed the program to ensure all students were included in the fun, engaging activities. 

Mr. Andrew Steele 

Learning Specialist - Numeracy.