Powerful learning in our Junior Team... 

Our first STEM task this year was to build a waka. Tamariki had to work cooperatively to create a waka that we could float in the trough. Tamariki were given iceblock sticks, tinfoil, hot glue guns and tape. First we looked at pictures of different waka and discussed what it would need so it would float and not take on water. Our discussions concluded that we needed to have sides, it couldn’t be too big or too heavy and it needed to have a covered bottom. Tamariki worked together to share our ideas and carefully used the hot glue guns to create our designs over two different sessions. When they were finished, we got to float them in the trough. Everybody was so excited to see whether it floated or not and if it took on water. It was a great task to help us show our 4C of cooperation by working together.

** What is STEM??

STEM is an approach to learning that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through STEM, students develop key skills including: problem solving. creativity. critical analysis.

Article added: Wednesday 20 March 2024