Science

Sujata Symons

STEM Investigation Class

STEM is an acronym which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. STEM education allows students to develop their skills through an integrated approach as well as improve their problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and communication abilities.

During Semester 2, a group of Year 3 and 4 students attended a STEM Investigation class on Friday afternoon. The students that were involved increased their knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical understandings through a series of investigative tasks. They undertook a range of STEM challenges including Paper Tower, Balloon Tower, Cup Pyramid and Edible Structure. The class also had the opportunity to trial various STEM related games and products.

Paper Tower Challenge – students were only allowed to use paper to create the tallest free standing tower possible. We discussed paper folding techniques, how to create strength and support, as well as shapes and angles which could be incorporated into the towers.

Balloon Tower – students had limited materials to create a balloon tower including a cup, paper, one balloon, 2 rubber bands, 4 spoons, 6 mailing labels, 2 straws, 10 toothpicks and string. The tower had to be built on top of the balloon and this proved to be very challenging.

Cup Pyramid – each group had 25 cups, a rubber band and one 30cm piece of string for each group member. They had to create a ‘tool’ to assist them in moving and stacking the cups to create a tower.

Edible structure – students created a structure out of spaghetti and marshmallows. Discussions were held in relation to how buildings are supported structurally and which 3 dimensional shapes would be the most effective to build their structures.