The STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) are an identified high priority of the Australian Government as it seeks to drive productivity and economic growth in Australia.
In recognition of the importance of STEM, the Association of Independent Schools is supporting independent schools to develop innovative projects within and beyond the curriculum.
The TAS faculty at Santa Sabina College applied for and were successful in their application to receive funding to develop and lead STEM-related projects.
These projects were developed and implemented into our Stage 4 Technology program. The first priority was to develop projects with an engineering focus.
Students will go through the process of designing a syringe hydraulic arm. They will come to understand simple hydraulics using plastic syringes for cylinders and small plastic tubing for the hydraulics. In addition students will go through the process of designing a Helicar. Through testing and experimentation they will come to understand the principles of speed, acceleration, drag and terminal velocity.
Secondly we aimed to re-introduce coding activities and opportunities to experiment with electronics and textiles (a field called e-textiles).
The main context for the introduction of these initiatives was to provide opportunities for our students to be engaged in more explicit engineering based activities and to work with emerging technologies. We felt that these were areas where we could provide extra opportunities for students to push the boundaries of their experiences and broaden their perspectives as they look to post school options. The projects will provide greater depth and diversity to current STEM initiatives offered at the College.
Schools receiving funding were invited to the annual AIS STEM Symposium to showcase their achievements.
Mr Henderson and Ms Bachmann along with 6 students in Years 7 and 8 attended and presented at the Conference. The students are to be commended as they were exemplary ambassadors of Santa Sabina College. In addition to presenting on the day, students were also able to attend workshops run by UTS students and lecturers.
Debbie Bachmann
TAS – Head of Department
