Year 8 STEM News
In Weeks 7 and 8 of Term 4, the Year 8 students delved deep into the realms of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), embarking on a three-day learning experience.
During the first leg of their STEM journey in Week 7, the students spent a day at the University of Technology, Sydney. The visit included a tour of the university’s diverse faculty buildings and lab facilities. Exploring the protolab, students encountered a fascinating array of 3D printers, showcasing 3D printed items of varying sizes, colours, and materials. Following the tour, students collaborated in groups for a design project guided by the principles of design thinking, facilitated by UTS engineering students. The focus of the project was on civil engineering, challenging students to select a terrain and devise an appropriate structure for a specific group or individuals to inhabit.
The students also visited the Powerhouse Museum in Week 7, where they engaged in a scavenger hunt. This involved solving riddles to uncover key information within the museum’s exhibits on Space, Experimentations and the Steam Revolution. Congratulations to the scavenger hunt winning team; Chiara Belmont, Ivy-Marie Proven, Cassandra Maldonado, Elissa Kawtal and Kayla Yildirim.
Following the scavenger hunt, students worked on a STEM design challenge, drawing inspiration from a nearby UTS building. Specifically, they examined the sustainable design features of UTS Building 8, using it as inspiration to craft a sustainable room of their choice at home, adhering to specified criteria. Congratulations to the winning design team; Poppy Simmonds, Alyanna Tabuso and Tiffany Tsoi for their innovative solutions.
The culmination of the student project unfolded on the final STEM day in Week 8. Students continued to work on their civil engineering projects with the assistance of the UTS engineering students. Bringing their ideas to life, students crafted prototypes of structures within their chosen terrains. Each group then presented their comprehensive background research, justifying the design features tailored for the specific group and terrain.
These immersive STEM experiences not only provided our Year 8 students with hands-on learning opportunities but also nurtured their creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills.
