STEM Gallery
On Friday June 6, 8D and 8F travelled to STEM Gallery Melbourne as part of our ongoing partnership with Melbourne University. The year 8s completed two different modules throughout the day that aligned with their future STEM module, Sustainable Hotels and worked perfectly with many other curriculum areas that investigate at sustainability.
During the shorter morning session, students completed a sustainable communities module which took a gamification approach by completing the important concepts covered through a game show approach. The content focused around the three pillars of sustainability: 'environment', 'society', and 'economy'. Here they explored what it takes to live, work and play in a sustainable community. In groups of 3-5, students investigated and concluded, sustainability is heavily influenced by what we put in our shopping basket.
Students considered their role in closing the loop to create a more circular economy and were inspired by real-world examples of innovative sustainable products (... and not-so-sustainable ones), they explored the hidden costs involved in producing, shipping, and packaging essential items as they compete for points in this gamified experience. Key concepts included food security at a local, remote, national and global scale. Carbon footprints, and strategies for transforming supply chains and consumer behaviours. Industry focuses on manufacturing and business models along with general capability skills such as collaboration, communication, critical and creative thinking, ethical considerations and problem solving were all part of the session.
During the late morning and afternoon, students took a specific focus on future foods. This unit focused on the response to climate and climate change. As modern food production responds to social, economic, and environmental expectations, students explored emerging products that could well be front-and-centre on supermarket shelves. The students learned about innovative ways our food chain is becoming more sustainable and healthier.
Focusing on the superfood ‘insects’, students explored how insects are eaten around the world and how we could create change in our own backyard. Students got to design, manufacture and then have a taste of their insect chocolate. Finally, they created a box and presented a pitch, marketing their product to the rest of the group. Congratulations to most students who engaged throughout the day and embraced the opportunity provided to them.
The excursion on Friday was an interesting and unique experience. We got the chance to participate in team activities based on 3 rounds. The first round being a Kahoot quiz, the second round being a sustainability, match the card to the topic and the last round being a shopping spree with a $15 budget and had to get the most sustainable items from each category. Over the rounds, there where points awarded between each round there was a spinning wheel where you could win hints, a high-five or points but the catch was, that it would cost you points between 100 - 500 points. My team, ‘Murnongs’ ended up coming 4th in a very tight race to the end.
After we ate our morning tea, we went back to the room. Here, we learnt about worms and how they are in our everyday foods including bread, meats and our favorites - chocolate. This was a bit freaky for me because I don't want to have insects in my chocolate. Then we got the chance to make our own chocolate brand by making the molds and pick 2 toppings to put in our chocolates. I chose sprinkles and worm protein powder but there where also options like whole worms, flowers and a few other things. Then, we got to put the melted chocolate in our molds and whilst it set, we ate our lunch outside.
When we got back all the chocolates had hardened but before we ate it, we had to create a brand four our chocolate and a name. My groups name was 'sprinkle wormy' and our brand was a chocolate roulette with some good chocolates and some bad chocolates. We pitched our ideas to the teachers but unfortunately my group didn't win. Overall, it was a very fun experience and I would do it again.
Abi Jaffray, Year 8
On Friday, we as a cohort visited the 'Science Gallery' located within the Melbourne University campus. Over the course of the day, we were ran through a variety of lessons and quizzes which challenged our knowledge and allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of the food we are consuming.
I especially liked the chocolate production, being able to combat our prior thoughts about what and what shouldn't be in chocolate was fun, educational and extremely tasty! We were ran through the plan of the construction process, and I truly felt as if I'd gain a deeper understanding of food and food sources by the point our time there was done.
I personally think the excursion was phenomenal, it was clear most had a true blast; and were able to uncover the secrets of food. Our instructors were brilliant and truly connected with us, answering our questions and supporting discoveries with bliss which made the experience so much greater.
All around, I loved the excursion; And think it is a true privilege for any school that gets the opportunity to engage with this haven of great knowledge.
Henry Fleming, Year 8
Mark Smith
Health & PE Leader
Pedagogical Development & Community Relations Leader