Student Leader of Technology Ann C. with students ready to start the mathematical escape room on Wednesday.
“As an all girls school it is important to promote STEM within our school and inspire the next generation of women,” say the Student Technology Leaders Ann S.C. and Cyrille R.
To achieve this the leaders organised a week full of STEM activities in a celebration of the different disciplines of STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
On Monday students were able to compete in a marshmallow tower challenge; on Tuesday there was a sherbet making activity as students learnt about acid-base reactions; on Wednesday there was a mathematical escape room and on Friday there will be a robot competition with students guiding a robot through a maze using code.
Assistant Technology Leader Cyrille R. gives students instructions at the mathematical escape room.
Year 7 students who love maths!
On Monday a marshmallow tower challenge was held.
Ann and Cyrille say the purpose of STEM Week was to show students that STEM does not have to be daunting. “We wanted to emphasise that STEM is about incorporating an individual's own creativity and innovation. It is such a diverse field with many opportunities and this is what we hope our activities this week have highlighted.”
The leaders are also passionate about promoting STEM to female students as there is a push to encourage more women to enter this field. “STEM fields and careers for many decades have been male dominated, and they still are despite more women becoming involved, so it is important to continue to inspire and entourage the next generation. We need to show them that they can still thrive in these fields as women.”
The highlight of the week so far for Ann and Cyrille was Monday’s Engineering focus with the marshmallow tower challenge.
This challenge is always a great opportunity for teamwork, problem solving and most importantly lots of fun!
Jacqui Hamilton | School Development Officer
Catherine McAuley Westmead
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