STEM workshops

• The Rube Goldberg challenge

  ‘Rube Goldberg’ machines perform a simple task in a complicated way. The Rube Goldberg challenge asks students to design and build a working Rube Goldberg machine under set constraints within a limited time. The workshop incorporates critical thinking and problem solving while also exploring physical science concepts relating to simple machines.

  Duration: 60 minutes
  Study areas: Science – Physical Sciences; Design and Technologies
  Curriculum links: Year 7 Science – ACSSU117, ACSHE119, ACSHE120, ACSHE121; Year 7 Design and Technologies – ACTDEK031, ACTDEK034, WATPPS39, WATPPS40, WATPPS41, WATPPS43, WATPPS44, WATPPS45

• Algorithms

  When people follow instructions, they interpret them using context, prior experience, assumptions and creativity to achieve the desired outcome. Machines simply follow instructions blindly, whether they make sense or not, leading to unintended behaviours when instructions are unclear. In this workshop, students write algorithms that describe how to do an everyday task. A volunteer ‘machine’ then puts these instructions to the test.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Digital Technologies
  Curriculum links: Year 7 Digital Technologies – ACTDIP030, WATPPS39, WATPPS40, WATPPS41, WATPPS42, WATPPS45

• Gardeners of the galaxy

  In this workshop, your students will be challenged to design and create their own prototype for growing vegetables in outer space. Imagining that they work on an international space station, students must consider factors such as gravity as well as the limited supply of resources like water, oxygen, nutrients and sunlight. They will learn about plant growth habits and the use of plants for filtration and air purification.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Science – Biological Sciences; Design and Technologies
  Curriculum links: Year 8 Science – ACSSU150, ACSHE136, ACSIS139, ACSIS140, ACSIS146, ACSIS148; Year 8 Design and Technologies – ACTDEK029, ACTDEK030, ACTDEK032, WATPPS46, WATPPS48, WATPPS49, WATPPS53

• Game show probability – using mathematics to win big!

  In this workshop, students play the game “Let ‘em Roll” where they will attempt to win a car under different playing conditions. Students will use the class results to determine the probability of achieving a winning outcome and will also calculate the theoretical odds of winning and compare their and the class’s outcomes with these odds. Simple probability calculations involving both single and combined events are used.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Mathematics – Statistics and Probability
  Curriculum links: Year 8 Science – ACSSU150, ACSHE136, ACSIS139, ACSIS140, ACSIS146, ACSIS148; Year 8 Design and Technologies – ACTDEK029, ACTDEK030, ACTDEK032, WATPPS46, WATPPS48, WATPPS49, WATPPS53

• Code cracking

  In this workshop, students will travel back in time to look at the different codes and code cracking techniques used throughout history. They will begin in Roman times, attempting to crack a code used by Caesar to send cryptic messages to his Generals. Next, they will assess the Affine cypher, which applies a mathematical equation to the alphabet, before lastly undertaking modern frequency analysis to decipher a cryptic murder note. This workshop emphasises the importance of mathematics in everyday life and in IT, and further develops students’ problem solving, critical thinking and teamwork skills.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Mathematics – Number and Algebra
  Curriculum links: Year 10 Mathematics – ACNMA234, ACMNA235, ACNMA241

• Probability and student profiling

  In this workshop, probability in forensic science is discussed with a focus on student profiling. Using student census data, students determine the probability of a high school student having different physical attributes, and then use this knowledge to ‘create’ a student that is ‘one in a million’. This workshop involves simple and combined probabilities and introduces the concept of the likelihood ratio, dependent and independent events. A criminal case involving flawed probability calculations is also presented.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Mathematics – Statistics and Probability
  Curriculum links: Year 10 Mathematics – Statistics and Probability

• What is a breakout box?

  A breakout box is a series of curriculum-linked problem-solving activities that your students must solve to complete a project mission. Students ‘unlock’ different types of locks (number, colour, directional, word) using their knowledge and content understanding. Teachers are provided with puzzle answers and additional support materials where needed to help their students complete the problems and ‘break out’. Groups can work collaboratively on a time-limited breakout box or they can work individually at their own pace.

• Save Baby Yodee

  This immersive game experience allows students to test their knowledge of fractions, decimals and percentages and converting between them. There are five locks for the students to break before they get to the finish. In this breakout box, Baby Yodee has been captured by the evil majestic storm fighters. Students need to work through a series of locks to free Baby Yodee and save the galaxy.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Mathematics – Number and Algebra
  Curriculum links: Year 7 Mathematics – ACNMA152, ACNMA153, ACNMA155, ACNMA156, ACNMA157, ACNMA173

• Mathematics secret agent

  This immersive game experience allows students to test their knowledge of scientific notation, distribution law, indices and binomials to become a mathematics secret agent. This breakout box sees students completing a test set by Secret Agent X to become a math super sleuth and join the Secret Maths Bureau. This box involves five challenging locks.

  Duration: 45 – 60 minutes
  Study areas: Mathematics – Number and Algebra
  Curriculum links: Year 9 Mathematics – ACMNS209, ACMNA210, ACMNA212, ACMNA213

• Periodic Table Art Project

  Our popular Periodic Table Art Project continues in 2020 but has now moved online.

  Be part of a state-wide collaboration as we build a colourful, artistic interpretation of the periodic table.

  Your class will receive a guest lecture on an element of your choice, either delivered live online or pre-recorded for your convenience. Your students will then have two weeks to produce an art piece representing their knowledge and understanding of the chosen element. They can check in with a scientist at defined times to ask questions and receive guidance on their artwork.

  The most creative artworks from each class will be awarded first place and professionally printed and displayed in an art exhibition at Murdoch University.

  This program is free to participate in, requiring only an internet connection.

  Duration: 2 – 3 periods (either consecutive or non-consecutive)
  Study areas: Science - Science as a Human Endeavour
  Curriculum links: ASCHE119, ACSHE223, ACSHE120, ACSHE121, ACSSU151, ACSSU152, ACSHE134, ACSHE226, ACSHE158, ACSHE192, ACSSU186

• Trailblazing Technologies Project

  Explore the history of technological innovation and how it has improved our lives in our new Trailblazing Technologies Project.

  You class will receive a guest lecture on your chosen area of technology, either delivered live online or pre-recorded for your convenience.

  You can choose a topic in line with your class’ curriculum needs or preferences, such as:

  • Communications
  • Medicine
  • Transportation
  • The Internet
  • Energy

  Your students will then be challenged to produce a factual and creative advertisement for your chosen technology, promoting it to ‘early adopters’ of its time.

  The best advertisements from each class will be compiled to build a timeline of technology innovations throughout the years.

  Duration: 2+ periods (either consecutive or non-consecutive)
  Study areas: Science - Science as a Human Endeavour; Design and Technologies – Technologies and Society
  Curriculum links: Science – ACSHE223, ACSHE120, ACSHE121, ACSHE226, ACSHE135, ACSHE136, ACSHE158, ACSHE160, ACSHE228, ACSHE192, ACSHE194, ACSHE230; Design and Technologies – ACTDEC029, ACTDEK030, ACTDEK040, ACTDEK041