Whittlesea Tech School
Newsletter
Welcome from the Directors
2019 has been a wonderful year for the Whittlesea Tech School. We have achieved so much in our first year of operation, and the success achieved has been very much a collaborative effort with our many stakeholders. This year, we offered four design challenge programs and two inquiry programs as well as many special events and workshops to over 5000 students from our partner schools.
Of particular note were the National Science Week event, Celebrating STEAM, for female and non-binary students led by our STEM Communication Officer, Dr Vhairi Mackintosh, and our Mini Maker Faire, led by our other STEM Communication Officer, Dr Michael Wilson, where our student ambassadors ran a variety of STEM activities for some 350 primary school students.
We have also hosted several other engagements this year in collaboration with our partners, including the City of Whittlesea and Melbourne Innovation Centre's Ignite Program for entrepreneurship, Find Their Feet careers event in collaboration with the Hume-Whittlesea LLEN and Melbourne Polytechnic, Wearable Technologies masterclass with La Trobe University, Jewellery Design workshop in collaboration with the Melbourne Arboretum, and the Koorie VCAL program in collaboration with Melbourne Polytechnic.
STEAMengine, our makerspace, was launched in 2019 with support from a City of Whittlesea council grant. This after-school program has seen a steady increase in the number of students accessing the facility to work on their own projects. This has been a great initiative led by our STEM Communication Officer, Dr Michael Wilson. STEAMengine will continue in 2020, with a focus on getting more female students engaging with the program.
Our student and teacher ambassadors have been brilliant this year. They have very much shaped our programs and created a sense of collective ownership at the Tech School. We look forward to offering an exciting range of opportunities for our increasing ambassador teams in 2020.
Lastly, I wish to thank everyone that has engaged with the Whittlesea Tech School this year and wish you all a safe and happy xmas break.
I look forward to seeing you in the new year!
Dr Sandra Mckechnie
Director
Tech School Highlights
Whittlesea and Banyule-Nillumbik Tech Schools team win an award!
On 27 November, the 2019 Melbourne Polytechnic Staff Excellence Awards were held at the Preston Conference Centre. Our team were thrilled to receive an award for Excellence in the Delivery of Applied and Future-focused Learning. Congratulations to all award winners, those that were highly commended and all of the finalists!
Maker Faire 2019
On Tuesday 26 November, we held our second Whittlesea Tech School Maker Faire with 350 primary school students on site to explore STEM. Led by our STEM Communication Officer, Michael Wilson, and our Tech School Student Ambassadors, the day was a glorious success. Activities included drone flying, lava lamp and slime making, 3D-printing, hydro-dipping, invisible ink drawing and those exploring sustainability and water filtration. We also had Telstra join us with Cruzr where students were able to program the robot to do such things as dance (pictured below). Thank you to Telstra and all our partner school teachers, students and staff who ran activities. What a day!
Dr Vhairi Mackintosh
STEM Communication Officer
Jewellery Design with Melbourne Arboretum
We have recently opened our maker space, STEAMengine for primary and secondary school students. STEAMengine provides a space for student to design, create and build their own protoypes, with access to the latest technology and mentors who can assist to develop the technical skills required.
STEAMengine is open to anyone under 18 years of age, with those parent/guardian supervision required for participants under the age of 13.
For further information, please email WhittleseaTS@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au
Michael Wilson
STEM Communication Officer
On Our Radar
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Christmas on Nebel Street
From 1 December 2019 to 12 January 2020
Christmas on Nebel Street light show, Lalor is for the whole community, both old and young, to come along and watch a spectacular display of lights synchronised to some of the best Christmas tunes.
https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/arts-events-recreation/things-to-see-and-do/events/christmas-on-nebel-street/
Social Links Art Exhibition
From 1 December to 31 December
To celebrate International Day of People with Disabilities, the Aurora Support Services Social Links Group are showcasing their amazing artwork for the whole month of December at Thomastown Library.
https://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/arts-events-recreation/things-to-see-and-do/events/social-links-art-exhibition/
VCE PD&T Textiles Teacher
Networking Group
Saturday 14th December
VCE Textiles teachers are invited to attend an end-of-year get together. This is a great opportunity to swap ideas, ask for advice and share tips whilst visiting NGV International and their incredible Collecting Comme exhibition.
https://www.datta.vic.edu.au/content/vce-pdt-textiles-teacher-networking-group-pl1967