National Science Week marked the launch of the inaugural KorowaSTEM Festival, a week-long program for students from ELC to Year 12.
The Festival reflects Korowa’s approach to STEM education:building curiosity from the earliest years, developing knowledge and skills asstudents progress through school, and creating opportunities for students toexplore the many pathways STEM can offer.
Building early science skills through wildlife
For students in ELC, Prep, and Year 1, the Festival beganwith a visit from Wild Action and an introduction to a collection of nativeAustralian animals.
Students explored animal adaptations, habitats, diets, lifecycles, and conservation, and learnt how different species survive and interactwith their environments. They also had the opportunity to touch and holdseveral animals, allowing them to examine characteristics they had beendiscussing.
For our youngest students, experiences like this build thefoundations of scientific thinking. By observing, asking questions, comparingwhat they see, and investigating the natural world, students begin developingthe curiosity and inquiry skills that underpin STEM learning throughout theireducation.
Developing coding and robotics skills in Junior School
Students in Years 2, 3, and 4 participated in robotics andcoding workshops delivered by ThinkerLab.
Working collaboratively, students programmed robots usingblock-based coding and explored sequencing, logic, sensors, and movement. Aseries of challenges required them to test their programs, identify problems, adjust,and try again.
Alongside developing computational thinking and codingskills, students learnt how technology can be used to turn an idea into aworking solution. They were encouraged to experiment, learn from what didn’twork, and collaborate to solve problems.
Connecting with CSIRO scientists on the Great BarrierReef
Students in Years 5 and 6 had a rare opportunity to speakdirectly with scientists aboard CSIRO’s research vessel, RV Investigator,while they were undertaking research on the Great Barrier Reef.
During the livestream, students learnt how researchers mapand investigate the seafloor, explored the technology used in contemporarymarine science, and discovered what it is like to live and work aboard ascientific research vessel.
Students could respond to questions from the scientists andask questions of their own. This gave them direct access to people working inSTEM and the opportunity to understand not only what scientists study, but howscientific research is conducted and the role it plays in understanding andprotecting our natural environments.
Supporting girls to explore careers in STEM
A significant part of the Festival focused on introducingstudents to women working across different STEM fields and giving them theopportunity to learn about where STEM studies can lead.
At the Senior School National Science Week Assembly,astrophysicist Dr Rebecca Davies spoke about her career and experiences as awoman in STEM. She shared the role that curiosity, perseverance, and passionhave played in her work and gave students insight into a career in scientificresearch.
Students also attended a guest lecture from AssociateProfessor Fae Marzbanrad from Monash University’s Faculty of Engineering.Associate Professor Marzbanrad discussed her work in biomedical engineering andhow engineering can be applied to improve health outcomes and transform lives.
Meeting women working in fields such as astrophysics andbiomedical engineering gives students a clearer understanding of the breadth ofSTEM careers available to them. It also allows students to hear directly aboutthe study, decisions, challenges, and opportunities involved in pursuing thesefields.
Exploring marine science beyond the classroom
Year 8 and Year 11 students extended their science learningthrough guided educational experiences at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium.
Students investigated marine ecosystems, biodiversity, andconservation challenges, considering the importance of protecting oceanenvironments and the role science plays in understanding environmental change.
Through this excursion, students connected concepts studiedat school with the environments, organisms, and issues they were learningabout, giving greater context to their studies.
Connecting our school community through the Seeds ofScience
This year’s National Science Week theme, Seeds of Science,also provided an opportunity to bring students of different ages together.
Students from Prep to Year 12 worked with their buddies toplant daffodil bulbs across the Korowa campus. Alongside exploring growth,plant biology, and environmental stewardship, the activity strengthenedconnections between younger and older students.
When the daffodils bloom, students will be able to lookacross the campus and see a lasting contribution they made together to theKorowa gardens.
STEM education from ELC to Year 12 at Korowa
The inaugural Korowa STEM Festival brought together opportunitiesfor ELC through Junior School and Senior School, to build scientific knowledge,develop skills in technology and engineering, investigate questions, solveproblems, and explore where their interests could take them.
By introducing students to STEM concepts early andcontinuing to broaden their experiences as they progress through school, Korowagives students the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to consider STEMnot only as an area of study, but as a pathway they may choose to pursue.
