Girls investigate the bits and bots of STEM
On 26 and 27 June a select number of Year 7 to 10 female students participated in the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) Masterclass. STEM is a multi-disciplinary approach to learning and development.
The Masterclass was jam packed with activities that helped students develop key skills required in their academic journey throughout school and beyond. These skills included:
- Independent thinking
- Problem solving
- Creativity
- Critical analysis
- Inquiry learning
- Teamwork
- Initiative
- Communication
- Digital literacy
On Wednesday students started off with an introduction to STEM, followed by setting up their workstations ready for the three different activities.
Students planned, designed and created a floor maze for the Sphero bot which was then programmed through an app on their phone to complete this maze. Students absolutely enjoyed this project and they were all very persistent to solve the problem at hand.
The Makey Makey activity allowed students to create a 'Who wants to be a STEMonnaire' game. Each group came up with a selection of questions to solve. Questions came from various Learning Areas including solving a mathematical problem, answering a Historical question and Geography facts. The group then put down their five questions on different paper and attached conductive tape around each multiple choice answer. They programmed the Makey Makey and attached the alligator clips to the conductive tape, challenging other groups by giving them a 20 second time space to think and answer the question.
The final activity was Lego Mindstorms, a software platform used for the development of programmable robots. Students carefully planned, designed and researched a variety of modular sensors and motors, then programed their robot to complete a 'follow the line' activity. Students were very motivated to create this mechanical system and persisted to solve the problem until the very end. We witnessed great teamwork across multiple year groups in this activity as Year 8 students communicated with Year 10 students to solve the given problem.
Matt from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) visited to explain requirements for entering into the ADF and talking to us about the importance of STEM learning to be granted such unique and privileged career opportunities.
Aditya, a Computer Science student from ECU, and Hanisha, a JFSC Graduate and current Aviation student, volunteered their time over the two days to assist students. Aditya ran a workshop on Python programming which the students really enjoyed. Although there were some issues with connecting to the Python platform, everyone teamed together to problem solve the issues with the result that students enjoyed and learned from the session.
We had other miscellaneous activities that students also took part in including programming an Edison bot to complete a paper maze and creating a display banner using the Microbit. Two students had fun creating an electric toothbrush using pop sticks, toothbrush head, a vibration motor, switch and a battery cell. It certainly required some problem solving there to create their first prototype and continue on until they completed the final design.
Students had a fantastic time and are very motivated to join in again!
I learnt how to problem solve better so I will use those skills in my maths and science tests in the future. I also learnt to be patient when working with the robots because it takes time to make the program. I will use patience not just in school but for everyday life.
I can apply the skills I learnt in mathematics and science in my science and mathematics classes. I can also use the skill problem solving in every class and the skill programming to further my understanding in computer digital. But I also learnt how to work as a team with others which I can use in all of my classes as well.
I will be able to problem solve a lot better in all my subjects by thinking of all the possible ways to do the problem and then use my knowledge of stem to choose the right way.
