Mathematics/Science

Mathematics

World of Maths (Year 7)

The World of Maths organisation ran numerous sessions over a day for our Year 7 students with a focus on understanding how Maths is used in everyday situations. A wide range of hands-on and visual activities were provided which allowed students to work in small groups and use a range of math and collaboration skills. Thinking mathematically and using initiative skills were required to solve puzzles, work out answers and overcome the challenges in each activity. It was great to see the students actively engaged and enjoying themselves as they investigated Maths in a fun way.

Suzanne Matejin 

Learning Leader

Toyota BrainSTEM Challenge 

This year, the Year 9 and 10 students have an amazing opportunity to work with Toyota in a 12-week BrainSTEM project. In this project, students are paired with a mentor to help them to apply design thinking processes towards a final presentation, for a product of their choice, to solve an existing problem.

Our group of five from Marian have been paired with Naveen Kumar, a PhD candidate studying applications of stem cells from the placenta on premature infants. Naveen is currently studying and researching the devastating effects that premature births have on babies, that causes them to suffer from diseases and disabilities. Naveen currently conducts his research at the Hudson Institute of Medical Research, in Clayton. As a team, we will be meeting with him regularly as he guides us through our project. 

On the 8th of March, this group of students travelled to Toyota’s Centre of Excellence in Altona North, where they were introduced to the program by Founder and Executive Director of BrainSTEM, Sid Verma. They were taught important skills in design thinking strategies as well as opening their pathways towards possible careers in STEM. 

The second half of the day was dedicated to a tour of Toyota’s facility where students were shown how Toyota models their prototypes and processes for automobile designs. Much of this tour was confidential therefore phones and other technology were unable to be brought in.

Students have many different goals and hopes to achieve, and some of them include expanding their critical thinking and communication skills, confidence, and seeing whether a career in STEM the right pathway choice for them. 

This was only day one of our twelve-week program, and so much more awaits ahead that is exciting to learn.

Throughout the twelve-week program, the students have been assigned the task of creating a product that will benefit the world. The students are to go through the stages of creating a product, such as planning, prototyping, failure, and making the final product. At the end of the program, the students are to present their product to family and invited guests at the Toyota Centre of Excellence. 

Claire Oram & Jolyne Tran 

Year 10