The Fair on The Hill funds from 2017 are to be spent on enhancing our resources for science and technology. Read on to find out more about this project.

Plans are already underway to transform Room 2 into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) room. The thinking behind this approach is to enable our students to solve real-life problems imaginatively, using and developing their skills and knowledge gleaned across the curriculum. We are very fortunate to have a spare room that can be used in this way, and to have access to funds that will allow us to add significantly to our existing resources. Our STEM room will house our existing science and technology equipment, in accessible ways. We also plan to add other items, such as a 3D printer and robotics.

A small group of parents with expertise and interest in this area, are working with us to share ideas about the set up of the room, and we are due to visit a school where STEM is thriving in a couple of weeks. We are looking forward to seeing this in action. In addition, a number of teachers are reviewing our curriculum and STEM will be part of our considerations. Student voice is very important to us and we will be asking the children how they imagine the new room. 

One of our first tasks has been to make sure that we know which resources we already have in school, to avoid replication. Room 5 have had a lovely time today sorting, testing, cleaning and tidying our existing science resources (see the images below).  They are to be commended on their sensible approach to the task in hand, as well as their amazing science thinking and inventiveness. They certainly made the job fun! 

If there are any parents who would like to offer their help, ideas, or expertise please get in touch with me (beverleyb@devonport.school.nz). We expect the room to be available for classes to use by the beginning of Term 3.