South Coogee Primary School has an established STEM–based Design and Technology program. This was in response to state and national calls for a stronger focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and ‘creative thinking’ in schools.
Classes from all year levels visit the school’s STEM lab once a week for project-based learning which is designed to complement the STEM-based learning that also occurs within regular classrooms. This approach to learning allows students to gain and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within an authentic context. But above all helps students develop as independent learners.
The STEM lab is well resourced with a range of science equipment, building tools, cooking utensils and appliances, sewing machines and craft materials.
The education projects that are delivered as part of the SCPS STEM Program:
- promote sustainability and healthy environments;
- are valued and considered meaningful by students and the broader community;
- are in line with the Design and Technology Curriculum; and
- incorporate other subject curriculums, in particular English, Science, Maths and the Arts.
STEM Fair
The planning of this initiative is undertaken as part of a project-based learning strategy in which the Year 6 students are handed the responsibility of hosting a STEM Fair for their fellow students. Visit the STEM Fair website where you can further explore STEM activities and teacher resources.
Whole-School STEM Program
This year, the whole-school STEM program was guided by the Global Sustainable Development Goals. These world-wide goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice.
Each year group planned the curriculum learning around one of the 17 sustainable goals. The topics of focus included land care, improving the health of our oceans and waterways, and reducing one-use plastics. But perhaps the most noteworthy was the upcycling of fast fashion project shared by Year 2 and Year 6 students, which was celebrated with a fashion show of the clothing designed by Year 2 students.
Science is the Focus
This is the second year the standalone STEM design and technologies program is guided by and runs parallel with the Science curriculum that was being taught by the classroom teachers. Consultation between year group teachers, the Visual Art specialist and the STEM specialist is undertaken to ensure the STEM program complements (and not competes) with the Science, Maths and Visual Art programs, extending the students scientific understanding through the investigation and creation of technologies.
The benefits of this coordinated approach to teaching have had a positive impact to the learning outcomes in both Science, and Design and Technologies.
The Bright Futures STEM Incursions
Designed by the Australian Resources & Energy Employer Association, the Bright Futures STEM Program responds to the significant growth forecast in the resources and energy sector and the demand for a STEM skilled workforce over the coming decades. The incursions offered the Year 6 students the opportunity to meet people who work in STEM based fields and listen to their stories.
Students also participated in a range of STEM activities, including virtual reality programs.
Australian Digital Technology Development – Pilot Program
South Coogee was one of a select number of schools chosen to pilot the digital education resource, Gamification. The Gamification App, Resource, Respond and Rescue was developed by the Core Learning Foundation and the Minerals Council of Australia with the aim of raising awareness of earth sciences and develop an understanding among Australian students of the Mining and Minerals sector.
Students work as an Emergency Response Team via an online platform to respond to a range of events including worksite emergencies, bushfires, floods and earthquakes.
Billy Cart Program
The Year 6 students have had fun building billy carts. During this hands-on project the students explored the fundamental properties of motion and how these influence design and performance of machines. The Billy Cart Project was an exciting way for students to learn how to use tools safely, solve problems and work cooperatively.
Science and Digital Technology
South Coogee Primary School is building up its digital technology resources with the purchase of coding and robotic resources and apps, including a set of iPads for robotics and an additional green screen and lighting kit. In addition to classroom digital technology lessons, digital technology education offered in 2022 at the school also included:
Year 2 Lego WeDo 2.0 coding, Robotics and Science lessons; and Robotics club
In 2022 Science & Digital Technology was taught in all classes from Kindergarten to Year 6. All year levels had access to resources that assisted a curriculum focused on developing skills and knowledge for new and continuing learners in a context that was rich in context understandings.
Across the year the Science program focused on looking at the skills and content strands through meaningful and achievable activities. Students participated in a number of activities within the classroom and across the school which enhanced their understanding of Science.
This year students were able to participate in Digital Technologies lessons that used the resources purchased through the Science grant. An incursion from Science Alive focussed on the Energy and Change Curriculum for Kindergarten to Year 6 students.
This year South Coogee Primary School used money from a STEM grant to enrich our Digital Technologies and Science resources throughout the school. These were then used extensively in Science and Digital Technologies classes.