Science, Coding, Bee Bots and EPro8

This term the Kowhai hub is completing a STEM rotation. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Over the term each child will experience each rotation twice.

Science

Students are investigating non newton fluid which is a substance that can be both a liquid and solid. They completed a science experiment making oobleck and investigated how it can act as a liquid and how it can act as a solid.

Coding

For the first half of this term the students will be working on creating their own 3D Mario game that they will be able to play on any device and even share with their friends to play. They will have a basic idea of what programming is, how it works, as well as developing an understanding of how any complex problem can be broken down into smaller, simpler steps that can be solved one at a time (similar to what they will be doing while building the game). The task is individualised so that each student can work at their own pace.

Beebots

Ākonga (students) will be working on creating a Road Map for their personalised Bee Bots to follow. In doing this they are beginning to understand patterns and sequencing using a coded Bee Bot. Ākonga are working collaboratively on how best they can code their Bee Bot to follow their map as well as other group maps. The communication across each group has been superb. They began to recognise the limits of their Bee Bot and how it could overcome barriers put in place. For example, students may have put a tree in the way on their map. Fantastic team work overall!

Engineering/EPRO 8

E Pro 8 is an amazing kit of pipes, joiners, screws and lots of other equipment. In the photos it shows the students getting to know the equipment and using it to build a solid structure. It was fantastic seeing the ākonga collaborating, as well as, having determination make sure the structure was completed correctly. Next time we will be making a fire engine.