Assistant Principal's Report

During Term Three, a selection of our Year 5 students participated in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) Innovation unit of learning.  Aisha and Mitul, from 5E, conducted an inquiry into sustainable clothing practices and designed a factory that produces sustainable and eco-friendly faux/fake fur.  Their learning and prototype factory were so impressive, we asked them to help our teachers learn how the STEAM inquiry process can help explore innovative, data driven solution to real work problems.  Their goal was to teach the teachers how to move through the STEAM inquiry process of analysing data, identifying a challenge and formulating a STEAM based solution using design, production and presentation.

Here is their reflection.

Teaching Teachers

Good morning/afternoon/evening parents, teachers, and students. This is article about a workshop we conducted for all the teachers. 

On the 17th of August, we were told that we were selected to present in front all the staff. We didn’t know what to feel, it was as exciting as it was daunting. Over the next couple days, we used all of our recess and lunchtimes to finish our prototype. Little by little, we finally finished both our speech and project. At that point we were so proud of ourselves, but we reminded each other that the most important part was yet to come.

That entire day, we were chilled to the bone. When the bell rang, we ran to the gym to get ourselves prepared and add final touches to our prototype. We stood there, waiting for the teacher call our name. When she did, we brought out or project. We started explaining how our design worked. When we were done, we announced that the teachers were going to do their own STEAM project! A sudden uproar of chatter went through the teachers. We explained to them what they were going to do, along the way. We went around talking to teachers, answering their questions and giving them tips. In the last few minutes, we asked them to present their creations with everyone! 

When it was finished, it really hit us that we had held a workshop for teachers. It was fascinating how we were the ones teaching, when that is a teachers job! Neither of us had imagined that we would ever do that. It was a memorable experience, standing there and talking. We hope to do it again someday.

By: Mitul Liz Meena & Aisha Lalu, 5E