Science Week and STEAM Thinking
In STEAM, Prep-Year 6 have been investigating the 2025 Science Week theme, decoding the universe. What does it mean to you? In STEAM classes, we workshopped that decoding means unravelling, unlocking patterns, codes and secrets of the universe. Asking each other, is there an algorithmic order in the universe? Why do we see repeating patterns?
We talked about patterns as a language communicated through patterning, such as, animal sound patterns, footprints, animal coverings as well as, repeating patterns in nature such as, spirals and cleaving as seen in roots, trees, veins, lightning, cracks (we then worked through these ideas as underpinned by the Fibonacci sequence, the Golden Mean/Ratio and, fractals). We conducted scientific inquiries and experiments to test some of these concepts. We asked, why are our results (possibly) different from our predictions? We looked at artworks and found the Fibonacci sequence/Golden Mean in a number of important artworks.
We then asked – what makes good design? We wondered, is good design inherent, subconscious or deliberate, following the rule? Building on this thinking, we expanded the idea of patterns to include ‘patterns of action’ such as, to name a few, lifecycles, day/night, moon phases, planet orbits, forces – if /then – and slow or fast weather events. And then we posed – if the universe has patterning, if events have a pattern, can we make predictions once we understand these patterns? Is this what decoding the universe means? What does this mean for society/ the environment/humankind?
To build on our thinking, students had a number of additional, very exciting opportunities this term. First, students were invited to participate in science challenges in the library most days in Science Week. Second, classes were offered to join in online incursions with scientists at the Australian Space Agency and provider Scitech to participate in live workshops for four sessions, covering topics such as: Space, physics, chemistry and biology, around the theme of ‘Mission to Mars’.
Third, extending this collaboration with the Australian Space Agency, Year 4 Tintern students have been enrolled to be part of their Mission to Mars project (with other schools across Australia) to be part of a build challenge to design a Mars rover and submit prototypes to the Agency which can be launched 2.5 metres with a G-forces of three or less. Part of this engineering design challenge involves repeated testing/design changes of these prototypes using specialised technological sensors and specific coding to meet the design brief. The technology to be able to test G-forces of our built designs is exciting. It is the plan, at this stage, for Year 6 students to also use these microbit sensors/coding technology next term as part of their flight unit to test the forces of their model aeroplanes (and, please be reassured, of course, all students will be able to access this technology learning, in time).
We are right at the beginning of our Tintern Mars Rover Challenge. Please stay tuned for photographs of the prototypes and videos of the launch testing day!
Yes, it is not lost on me my name is Mrs Mars conducting a Mars Rover Challenge with the Australian Space Agency!
Emily Mars
STEAM
