STEM collaboration - Years 4 and 7

SUSAN LICASTRO | Years 7-10 STEM C

oordinator In Term 3 an exciting opportunity for Inter-Year Level collaboration of classes 7A, 7C and 7J Science with 4A, 4B and 4C was implemented. Year 4 students were presented with two challenges to complete over the course of the Term to demonstrate their understanding of forces and motion. The role of the Year 7 students was to enhance the competency and maximise the outcome of their allocated Year 4 group, by guiding and negotiating the group to the best possible solution to the challenge.

Challenge 1 involved a real-world engineering challenge by building a prototype of a device that could manually pump water during an emergency. Year 7 students were required to ‘think like entrepreneurs’ and come up with a business plan for how the device could be produced, sold and used in the real world. C

hallenge 2 involved Year 4 students designing a Rube Goldberg Machine that, through a series of chain reactions, performed a specific task. Year 7 students were responsible for the design and implementation of a component for the machine using a 3D printer.

On completion, Year 4 students showcased their work with teachers and parents by demonstrating how their machine worked and explaining the forces involved. T

his process not only engages students but provides them with the opportunity to develop critical thinking, problem solving, creative and collaborative skills. These are all essential STEM skills that students require for the future.

Many thanks to Ms Rebecca Lewin, Ms Sunny Kim and Mrs Susan Perera for their enthusiasm and commitment to ensure this project was successful and rewarding for all participants. Our vision is to continue this process with new projects for 2022.