We were privileged and excited to see and hear from Angus Mc Pherson (STEM coordinator) and passionate students from MEC; Deacon Farrow, Rose Mc Nabb, Alix Ford and Will Macdonnell.
STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The idea of the program is to enthuse, motivate and challenge students into these fields of study.
MEC staff have two goals;
- STEM for all students - think creatively; more experiments in science; design process for trade subjects and increased digital technologies
- STEM opportunities for interested students - Excursions, camps, clubs and Industry visits
The students have attended various programs;
- Alix - spent 3 days at Monash University experiencing Electrical challenges - robo moths on day 1; making a spaghetti bridge on day 2 and experiencing the STEM camp
- Deacon - my digit experience attended DigIT provided by Macquarie University - Sydney; over two days (one in January and another in July) and completing amazing projects involving coding and design
- Will, Rose and Deacon attended a program provided by University of Newcastle (in Bendigo). They competed in teams with different challenges again; they made a car which repeatedly crashed without breaking the 3 eggs it was carrying inside the frame, also made a prosthetic hand to enable it to pick up items and an electrical challenge; Deacon participated in a major project designing a car to go over rocky terrain and designing a fidget and then using a 3D printer to print it in plastic. The other main purpose for program was that the students showed initiative, were encouraged to experience collective impact and collaboration to complete 3 tasks. This program is an annual event and was funded mainly by Rotary.