This year we aimed to use the immediate environment around our school to explore environmental issues ranging from the destruction of habitat to the issues that urbanisation has on ecosystems trying to adapt to increased human activity. We focussed on a small wetland area surrounded by a number of very old River Red Gums. In utilising a STEM approach to our learning, we adopted a student led inquiry that allowed the children to explore the issues that impact on this area of interest. Our students comprised a team that was selected via a formal application process for a ‘Special Project’. This Team is predominantly Year Five / Six students and is now known as the STEM Ambassadors.

In order to ‘kick start’ the project, we purchased an automated Wildlife camera and this revealed a number of interesting situations for us to explore. Our STEM Ambassadors led by our Science / STEM Teacher (Laura Vissaritis), Deputy Principal / Digital Tech Leader (Frank Fabri) and Learning Support Officer (Tom Power) allowed a collaborative project to be decided upon by our STEM Ambassadors to emerge.

The Project decided on was based on the fact that Introduced or Invasive Species had an adverse impact on our area of interest. The use of our wildlife camera not only revealed the destruction caused by wild rabbits, foxes and various birds but in particular the predatory nature of a domestic cat. The fact that a Domestic Cat was part of a problem allowed the children to focus on a project that aimed to lessen the impact. Our provocation became ‘Design a Product that will minimise the cat’s danger to other species’

The results in the design stage focussed on the team designing a type of collar that would allow owners to track their cats. (This incorporated the use of a tracking device using GPS - Apple Air Tags were explored). To further extend the possibilities, we looked at the use of a lightweight microchip (Arduino) to allow an infrared sensor and alarm to be activated in the case of a cat preying on other creatures. This part of the project enlisted the assistance of our former student (School Captain) Jacob. Jacob’s field of expertise in coding and creating microchips as well as a love for STEM MAD allowed him to be the perfect candidate for a Kids Teaching Kids Project. Jacob, even though he is in Year 7 has committed to assisting our Team in every session. He is teaching our students how to create and code the Arduino microchip. Another focus was the design and function of the collar. Students explored the use of reflectors and that the materials that we use are safe and comfortable for cats. The children worked in specialised teams each combining to develop the functionality of the Alertron Cat Collar. Please view the video to see the process.

Our building and prototyping is still underway and the product created is now known as the Alerton. We are looking forward to presenting our project in this year’s STEM MAD showcase and also in viewing what other teams of students have created. When school returns in November we are looking at having a STEMtacular Expo to invite our families to witness first hand the wonderful work that our Team has created.

https://vimeo.com/598076081 Trailer

https://vimeo.com/624275669 Submission 6 October 2021

In a response to making STEM Based Learning possible via Remote Online Learning, our focus centred on STEM for Humanity and in our chosen project, the children have been encouraged to think about how they can make a difference in someone’s life, in this case a person with a disability. We have chosen to develop a project based on Inquiry Unit of Perception in the hope that it would allow the children to change their perception of what a disability actually is and evoke empathy and understanding. We based the initial part of our investigations by exploring the home environment and assessing how 'user friendly' the home environment was to someone with a visual or mobility impairment.

Working with AKORN Educational Services, our students were given an excellent lead in to what STEAM could look like at St Paul the Apostle School. Our goal of ‘creating equitable and accessible facilities for all’ helped us develop a strong mindset for both students and teachers alike in extending this goal to our own school environment. The design process and the use of various materials allowed the students to work in collaborative teams, which extended to role descriptions. The students have identified areas in the school that can have an improved design and have set about creating their own models to represent their purpose and to highlight their learning journey through the design process.

Our students access the STEAM@SPA Google Classroom to access resources and communication regarding our STEAM projects. Google Classroom provides a safe social learning platform that allows the students to share their learning and collaborate with others in a meaningful and respectful way. Click here to access