Making The ‘Clever Country’
A clever country makes things, creates things and develops things. It’s a country that will innovate itself out of pandemic recession. It values long-standing productive industry and gets excited about the futures technology. It recognises educated young people as its greatest resource and uses the wisdom of advanced years to protect from excess and create an enthusiasm for the future. It’s a country where education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) or probably more correctly STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths & The Arts) is a prominent feature of every school.
At Mercy, a talented staff team are making futures education a very real experience for kids.
Ms Sandra Bayliss, our Teaching & Learning Coordinator recently organised and hosted Regional Schools in the Robotics Challenge. CQ University and local industry were prominent supporters. Mr Michael Duggan, Teaching staff member, in his role as Coordinator of the Whitsunday STEM Challenge committee, organised and ran the HPV (Human Powered Vehicle) meet at Palmyra Raceway last weekend. Teams from as far away as Bundaberg aggressively competed, solving technical, mechanical problems in a ‘Bathurst’ style meet. The whole day was STEM in action right up to the timing and recording systems donated and run by the Mountain Bike Club.
It’s also the in-class experiences that are so vital in developing student interest and confidence in problem solving abilities. Ever made a Hovercraft from scratch?? The students in Mr Jared Keioskie’s Year 10 Design Class will. One of a number of classes that fit under the STEM umbrella. It’s an experience that guides children to jobs in a clever country. [Please read on to get insights from our students] –
During the semester for Design, students will be creating a Hovercraft based around a scenario of humanitarian aid in disaster areas. To achieve this, they will be developing a concept of a prototype using a portfolio to come up with their ideations. Factors such as weight, size, air flow, electronics and different forces will influence their choices of the final design. Once they have finalised their concept, they will create a 3D model of the hovercraft using a CAD program called Autodesk Inventor. This model is than 3D printed so that students have a physical representation of their design. They will then attach any electronics that are required to their hovercraft and connect it to an application using Bluetooth to control it for any testing and evaluation of the portfolio. Students in this class were invited to share their experience of the subject. Here are some of their responses:
Henry Williamson
This subject is about designing something with the purpose of solving a specific problem. What I particularly enjoy about it is the creative element. I would recommend this subject to students with a creative interest who like a hands-on approach. You also have to have an understanding of CAD.
Ben Pengelly
This is a great subject. I really enjoy the designing process and discovering the outcome in the testing stage. I believe this subject could be appreciated by any student with an enquiring mindset.
Brielle Lett
Designing something unique and having the opportunity to create something you never thought you could do, is so satisfying! I enjoy working with peers in a group who have creative ability, we learn so much together. I would suggest students start the subject in Year 9.
Jack Hillman
This subject is a terrific way to use your imagination. To enjoy this subject and achieve good marks you definitely need to have a creative way of thinking and be prepared to work hard.
Lachlan Kowalczyk
The best thing about this subject is being hands-on creating a solution for everyday problems and the opportunity to benefit others. I chose this subject to get a taste of what engineering would be like. This class has similar elements of other Technology subjects. I would advise younger students to try it all and give it your best. You need to be a good communicator, work well in a group situation and be keen to develop new ways of thinking and appreciate the different strengths each team member has. If you put in the time and effort it is so rewarding.
Declan Christensen
I like working with computers to develop designs. This subject allows me to not only contribute my knowledge but to also learn from the others in the group. You need to be a hard-working student who enjoys design and have technical creative interest & abilities. I recommend it highly.
As an adult looking at what is on offer to students in schools today in comparison to our more mundane experience, one often thinks how good it would be to have another go. (This time I’d get it right).
Mr Jim Ford
