Students from St Edward’s pulled on their safety goggles and pulled out their microscopes for the schools Science and STEM extravaganza day last Tuesday, September 19.
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St Edward’s Principal Ken McNamara said it was a fantastic day.
“It’s a new initiative by the Australian Government to bring STEM into schools,” he said.
“We’ve been working with our students on a robotics program which is supported by our science program, robotics is an initiative tied in with STEM so we thought what a better way of promoting STEM and a child’s love of STEM projects then having a full on science day”.
Mr McNamara said the students enjoyed a number activities across the STEM spectrum.
“We had a variety of science and STEM activities,” he said.
“We had an archaeological dig, robotics, simple experiments involving electricity, some of the latest pieces of technology in an electronic microscope and gimbal that help science based inquiry learning not just in schools but in society.
“University is a long way off but it’s days like this that inspires kids to take an interest in science and that’s the main purpose of today”.
Mr McNamara thanked Phoebe Cowdery from the Corridor Project for promoting science in Cabbone, Canowindra and Cowra.
The Department of Education has introduced a number of STEM projects aimed at actively engaging students in authentic and challenging STEM learning experiences, creating learning environments that foster innovation and creativity is fundamental to the success of STEM education in schools.
The Department also said integrating STEM learning allows teachers to place a greater focus on the general capabilities syllabuses such as: critical and creative thinking, information and communication technology capability and personal and social capability.
Australian Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel, recently said in his Australia’s STEM Workforce report that preparing students through STEM for a variety of jobs and industries was vital to sustaining the future workforce.
“This report provides a wealth of information on where STEM qualifications may take you, what jobs you may have and what salary you may earn,” Dr Finkel said.
“Studying STEM opens up countless job options and this report shows that Australians are taking diverse career paths.
“This report shows that STEM-qualified Australians are working across the economy. It is critical that qualifications at all levels prepare students for the breadth of roles and industries they might pursue”.