Bright sparks shine at local and national STEM events
By Wendy Shaw and Josh Low
Out of 72 award-winning teams made up of some 200 students, four students from Sacred Heart College in New Town recently emerged victorious in the STEM ‘Making a Difference’ (MAD) National Competition.
Primary and secondary student teams were invited to design a product, service or innovation to make a difference to others or to the environment.
Catholic schools from every diocese around the country were asked to nominate local finalists for national judging, with projects showcased at the National Catholic Education Conference (NCEC) in Melbourne.
Event coordinator Shelley Waldon of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, said the entries covered a range of issues from local and personal challenges such as disability to community and global challenges such as natural disasters, aviation, climate action and species loss.
“The creativity and deep-thinking of our young people, along with the care they have for their fellow citizens and communities, never ceases to amaze me,” she said.
The two winning projects by the Sacred Heart College students involved a lifesaving flood level indicator, and protecting swift parrots in Tasmania through influencing the behaviour of their biggest predator, sugar gliders.
Head of Science at Sacred Heart College, Katy Andrews, spoke of her pride in her students for their achievements.
“They have all worked extremely hard over the last couple of months on their projects.
“For kids who are 15 years old to be showcasing their ideas and work to adults among their peers from all over Australia is massive,” she said.
“And to take out the top prizes; it’s just fantastic.”
The NCEC Showcase in Melbourne followed on from the “It Takes a Spark” STEM Conference at St Brendan-Shaw College, Devonport on 2 September, which was the only live STEM conference in the state this year.
Catholic Education Tasmania partnered with Spark Education Conferences to present the event for students and teachers from Years 4 to 10, with some 400 students involved across the state.
CET STEM Education Officers Chris Bracken was delighted with the ‘brilliant’ response to the event.
Mr Bracken said the packed program provided opportunities to upskill teachers and spark interest in students; important given the shortfall in a range of STEM-related occupations, such as doctors, engineers, scientists, information technology and allied health.
“It is just getting that mind shift around knowing that you can make a difference,” Mr Bracken said.
“Things are moving fast in STEM with resources, technologies, and teaching methods. There is so much potential to make a difference while tackling real world problems.
“It also links to the Catholic ethos of improving life for humans and the environment: we do a lot to trash it. It is good to know that we are also doing things to fix it.” he said.