STEAM (science technology engineering arts mathematics) is a new course offered to Year 7 students at Liverpool Girls High School.
An interdisciplinary approach to learning, meaning many fields of study in one, STEAM shows students how technical concepts relate to real-world situations by providing them with hands-on projects and problems to help them to apply concepts in a new context.
STEAM provides opportunities for students to use design thinking and helps students understand the design process.
The course is about nurturing students’ curiosity and helping them to develop creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Integrating coding into classes
The following video was made in collaboration with Atlassian, one of Australia's leading software development companies, to promote computational thinking and coding.
Atlassian supported our students and teachers to integrate CS-First, a programming language, into Year 7 STEAM classes in 2017. Liverpool Girls High School would like to thank the dedicated team at Atlassian for their commitment, expertise and support.
Course objectives and outcomes
English
EN4-5C Thinks imaginatively, creatively, interpretively and critically about information, ideas and arguments to respond to and compose text.
EN4-9E Uses, reflects on and assesses their individual and collaborative skills for learning.
Mathematics
MA4-2WM Applies appropriate mathematical techniques to solve problems.
MA4-3WM Recognises mathematical relationships using reasoning.
Science
SC4-5WS Collaboratively and individually produces a plan to investigate question and problems.
SC4-8WS Selects uses appropriate strategies, understanding and skills to produce creative and plausible solutions to identify problems.
Technology (Mandatory)
4.2.1 Generates and communicates creative design ideas and solutions.
4.6.1 Applies appropriate evaluation techniques throughout each design project.
Formative assessment
Students will work individually and in teams to design, build, solve problems, evaluate and reflect. A team of teachers will use formative assessments and provide ongoing feedback to students to improve literacy and numeracy skills.
Term 1
- Design process
- Design thinking
- So you think your robot can dance challenge
- Reflection
Term 2
- Digital citizenship
- PEEL paragraph writing
- Persuasive ad challenge
- Reflection
Term 3
- Playing and analysing games
- Good game design principles
- Probability challenge
- Reflection
Term 4
- Algorithms and patterns
- Scratch game challenge
- Minecraft virtual world
- Reflection