Barbreck Update – STEM education, an interdisciplinary approach to learning
In Barbreck, we are proud to offer as an essential component of the curriculum a specialised STEM subject much like HPE, Art and Music. In doing this, we hope to inspire and equip students from a young age with the confidence and capacity for St Catherine’s girls to aspire to careers in the science industry.
STEM Education in Barbreck is based on an interdisciplinary approach to learning which integrates the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics into cohesive learning experiences. It offers an integrated and authentic approach to learning that challenges students to draw connections between their learning and the real world. In doing so, it equips students with critical thinking, problem solving, creativity and communication skills, all necessary skills for future success in a wide range of areas.
In 2016, the Office of the Chief Scientist released a report outlining a push to overcome barriers to women prospering in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) in the workplace. It was highlighted in this report that such education highlighting the significance of STEM in our world needs to begin at primary school.
This research is supported by an earlier study completed by the OECD in 2015 that revealed despite girls having an overall more positive attitude about school, completed more homework, read more for pleasure and were less likely to play video games, they unfortunately lacked self-confidence in their ability to, specifically, solve maths and science problems. They also achieved poorer results than boys in these subjects despite out performing boys overall. This study also affirmed research that revealed that girls at ‘all-girls’ schools were more likely to study subjects such as physics and maths at a senior level.
After many years as a Junior School classroom teacher, this year I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to specifically teach STEM. It has been a fantastic experience teaching subject content and processes related to a subject that I greatly enjoy, as well as the opportunity to teach every student from Prep through to Year 6.
As STEM is part of our everyday lives, we ask the girls to adopt a curious approach to building their own knowledge and experiences in STEM. After every lesson, I encourage students to discuss what they have been learning with their family members and friends. As such, I encourage parents to ask their daughter/s to share what they are learning about in their STEM lessons which will hopefully stimulate further discussions, with the opportunity to add depth to the learning they are experiencing within the classroom.
This Term, the Barbreck students will be engaging in the following topics:
Prep – Weather in my World
Daily and seasonal changes in our environment affect everyday life.
Year 1 – Spot the Difference
Everyday materials can be physically changed in a variety of ways.
Year 2 – Watch it Grow
Living things grow, change and have offspring similar to themselves.
Year 3 – Melting Moments
A change of state between solid and liquid can be caused by adding or removing heat.
Year 4 – Material World
Natural and processed materials have a range of physical properties that can influence their use.
Year 5 – Desert Survivors
Living things have structural features and adaptations that help them to survive in their environment.
Year 6 – Earthquake Explorers
Sudden geological changes and extreme weather events can affect Earth’s surface.
Mr Luke Russell
Deputy Head of Barbreck and STEM Specialist Teacher
Year 5 and 6 Health Education – ‘Changes and Transitions’ Unit
As girls enter their tween years, Puberty Education becomes a timely and important program offering essential information to help girls understand and cope with the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.
Commencing in Year 5 and continuing into Year 6, our Health teacher, Mrs Jenny De Nardis will be teaching the ‘Changes and Transitions’ Unit in the coming weeks.
Learning about puberty at School helps girls to:
- understand that they are not alone in this developmental change;
- learn about the physical and emotional changes of puberty through well-structured and age appropriate lessons;
- ask questions within a safe learning environment with a staff member they know and trust;
- feel comfortable to learn about puberty with girls their own age.
The 6 week program for Years 5 and 6 students will commence in Week 4 of this term and culminate in a Parent and Daughter Evening at School with a guest presenter, Amanda Parsons, Body Works Health and Wellbeing, to be held on Monday 7 June. An invitation and further details will be forwarded to parents in the coming week.
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Out of School Hours Care
St Catherine’s School offers an Out of School Hours Care program to all ELC and Junior School families. The program is implemented by our provider ‘After the Bell’, and operates within the ELC building. Parents are reminded that if you need to use the Before School Care or After School Care service, registrations need to be made in advance with ‘After the Bell’. Please allow up to five business days for your registration to be processed before your child can begin attending the program. Registration is free. All families are encouraged to register so that you can use this service in the event that you are unable to pick up your child.
Before School Care – 7.00am to 8.45am
After School Care – 3.00pm to 6.00pm
Registrations can be completed via the ‘After the Bell’ website https://afterthebell.com.au/register-now/
Please phone 9758 6744 for all enquiries.
