aMACQUARIE COLLEGE SENIOR SCHOOL

PROJECT-BASED LEARNING, STEM, ENGINEERING STUDIES AND MAKERSPACE

STAGE 4YEAR 7QUEST Project-based Learning (Science, English, Maths)Technology (Textiles, Wood, Food), Engineered VehicleInformation & Software Technology

YEAR 8Project-based Learning STEM Elective (2018)Additional Electives:□ Food Technology□ Design & Technology□ Industrial Technology (Wood and Metal)

YEAR 7 QUEST PROGRAM

QUEST has a Project Based Learning component through which Year 7 Science, English and Mathematics classes are integrated, the whole cohort learns together.

Students collaborate in small groups to deliver four innovative projects (one per Term), designed to draw on students’ real-life experiences, visions for the future and collective skills.

By learning the fundamentals of project management, communication, budgeting, research, design and implementation, students predict and manage unique environments by using scientific enquiry, measurement methodologies, manual and technology-driven systems, and report their experiences through written, oral and video presentations.

The projects which students have turned their minds to include:Term 1 Bridge and Theme ParkTerm 2 Mission to MarsTerm 3 Future Earth Documentary (in 2017, our school environment is the focus)Term 4 We Built a Zoo

TECHNOLOGY (MANDATORY)All Year 7 students are immersed in a range of technologies which drive industries locally and globally. Senior School students are empowered to learn independently, drawing on the collective wisdom of their group members and their teachers, to complete project-based learning activities which require manual and technological resources, as well as personal creativity.

Textiles technology:project focussing on product design, investigating materials, techniques, measurement, area and cost calculation, and decorative techniques.

Wood technology:design project based on a garden clock theme, involving mathematics (measuring and calculating dimensions), engineering (materials science, manufacturing techniques, safety), project management and design.

Food technology:design project focussing on the design of snack food (measuring, weighing, taste testing, nutrition science, calculating energy, application of science to process and store foods).

Engineered systems:design project, exploring ways of mechanically powering model vehicles, such as balloon power, spring power and clockwork power (gearing, measuring distance, engineering a system from components, materials and structures).

YEAR 7 INFORMATION & SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY

Students extend their foundational knowledge of integrated STEM, by exploring digital technologies and their practical applications.

Project-based learning is the primary method by which students develop code-based games, and design and create interactive information and animation sites.

Students work in teams to create, operate, monitor and analyse a short-distance communication information system (such as using semaphore, drones, an RC car, texting, or 2-way radios to transfer a message) to get a better understanding of how digital communications work.

Teams of students research contemporary technologies, such as how a 3D printer, SMS, digital camera, near field RFID (eg Opal cards) work. They illustrate, script write and present their findings to the class in video form.

YEAR 7

aFinally, students design and build 3D models for items such as key tags, which they output using the faculty’s laser cutter and 3D printers, gaining experience and understanding of the software, techniques and processes used in contemporary rapid prototyping, in industries such as biomedical science, automotive, apparel and defense.

YEAR 8 SCIENCE

Once per fortnight Year 8 Science students collaborate in small project groups to explore the scientific world through Project Based Learning. The balance of their Science curriculum is delivered through traditional teaching methods in the science classrooms.

Term 1 - Specialised Cell ModelStudents select a specialised cell - either from the human body or a plant - and then research the cell, design and produce a model of the cell. Finally, students get creative and write a Resumé from the perspective of the cell, which is applying for a position within an organism.

Term 2 - Research Project - Plants Students perform a controlled experiment that investigates plant growth. Working in small groups they apply the scientific method while developing the skills necessary to work like a scientist. They designed and performed a first hand investigation, changing one variable and recording the effect this has had on a second variable while keeping the other variables controlled.

Finally, by applying the scientific method and scientific skills to their chosen aspect of plant growth, a scientific report is written individually. Students are able to make connectsion about how changing one variable will result in different growth rates of plants. They were able to analyse, graph and discuss their results in a professional, scientific way.

Terms 3 and 4‘Future Earth’ is a major international research platform providing the knowledge and support to accelerate transformations to a sustainable world. ‘Future Earth’ Australia’s vision is for people to thrive in a sustainable and equitable world. Here at Macquarie College we are working towards not only a more sustainable school community but also in the broader Newcastle and Lake Macquarie local council areas.

To expand the students’ understanding of science and sustainability, students researched one of the following topics: energy efficient houses,carbon capture, cars of the future, power grids of the future, rising sea levels, and lithium batteries. As part of the research they must collect and present data on how the local community, councils and government are addressing their chosen issue. Students will develop their video and editing skills and produce a 3 minute documentary outlining their research.

Every fortnight, Year 8 Science students collaborate in small project groups to explore elements of the natural world. The balance of their Science curriculum is delivered through traditional teaching methods in the science classrooms.

TECHNOLOGY (MANDATORY) Year 8 students enhance their knowledge of the various technologies learned in Year 7, by extending the application of planning, production and presentation principles for Year 8 technology projects.

Textiles technology: students focus on wearables engineering, investigating materials, techniques, measurement methods, project managements, and area and cost calculations as they produce a pair of pyjama shorts.

Students enjoy the opportunity to express their creativity and personal style in this project, all the while considering the functionality of the garment in their pattern design, fabric selection and finally, wearing their garment.

Wood Technology:students are challenged to develop a storage solution in this design project, as they create a functional pivot box. They measure and calculate amounts of materials and their costs, learn about materials science, functioning mechanisms, manufacturing techniques, project management and also design. Students will also learn about ergonomics and safety in manufacturing / production environments.

Food Technology: this project requires students to research, experiment, measure, weigh and taste-test a meal, while calculating energy, considering the visual appeal of their meal, and applying nutritional science concepts to the processing and storage of foods.

Software Design Project: coded app development, incorporating research, experimentation, mathematics (including cartesian coordinates), physics of motion, logic, software engineering, user experience engineering / user interface design, project management, iterative design processes and prototyping.

YEAR 8