20 years of making science fun
The Schools’ Technology Project (STP) is celebrating 20 years of bringing science ‘alive’ to primary and secondary student around Victoria.
The STP elective was developed after a forum of teachers, consultants and staff from Monash University’s Faculties of Education and Engineering met to address the implications of the introduction of technology education into schools.
The resultant elective, first offered to fourth year engineering students in 1991, was designed to help the students develop effective oral and written communications skills. This reduces the need for students to use engineering jargon when explaining professional knowledge to non-professionals and at the same time assist school teachers deliver a fun and enjoyable science and technology course.
More than 1200 engineering students and 350 schools have participated in the program since it was first introduced.
Student David Caserta said his time at Syndal South Primary School earlier this year saw his own skills developed as well as the confidence of the children as they tackled each of the tasks that he set.
“The activities provided me with the best opportunity to develop my leadership skills,” David said.
“I was required to give guidance and direction to the students when they needed it. I could see the students’ confidence build as they developed each of their projects.
“Encouraging everyone to have a role in the development ensured that we all worked as a team to complete a common goal in the most efficient manner,” David concluded.
The majority of engineering students are placed into primary schools, which allows the children to get excited about science, maths and engineering from a young age.
The engineering students meet with their supervising teacher to establish the expectations of the learning outcomes for the school students they will be working with. From there they design and run appropriate activities to match the outcomes, broadening the children’s understanding of science, their ability to identify problems, trial solutions and evaluate the success of their projects.
“It broadens the curriculum for our students into areas, such as engineering, advanced mathematics and science, that otherwise would not be explored in schools,” Chris Gilligan from Glendal Primary School said.
“Through the program the children are inspired and develop passions for future careers and further study in engineering and science. The engineering students are outstanding role models for our future youth,” Mrs Gilligan said.
Involvement in the program has allowed schools to participate in competitions such as the RoboCup Challenge, a robotics competition; the RACV Energy Breakthrough Challenge where the students design, build and test their vehicles or machines; the Victorian Solar Boat Challenge and ENGQUEST, a national competition sponsored by Engineers Australia and the Department of Innovations, Industry, Science and Research.
In 2010 Glendal Primary School students designed Lego-based robots which reached the finals of the World First Lego League competition held in Atlanta, USA.
Robyne Bowering, the current STP coordinator believes one of the most valuable skills the engineering students develop is understanding what constitutes effective communication.
“The students learn effective communication has two fundamental principles: correctly identifying who their audience is and being very clear about the purpose for the communication,” Ms Bowering said.
“Another rewarding aspect of the Project is seeing the engineering students develop a real sense of community.
“Many of the students continue working in their schools after their placement has officially finished, even after their assessment for the unit is completed, and a number return in the following years to assist with Projects.”
While the structure of the elective has developed and evolved over the past 20 years, the core ideals still exist: to provide schools with engaging science and technology programs that stimulate curiosity and enjoyment.