Week 5, Term 3 | 19 August 2022 | Mosman Preparatory School

‘The Tasmanian Tiger Returns’

‘The Tasmanian Tiger Returns’

I was astonished to hear recently that the Tasmanian Tiger might return from extinction within 10 years!

Through the collaboration of scientists at a University of Melbourne research lab and a US-based genetic engineering company, we could see Thylacine again, after the last known animal died in Australia in 1936.

This week has been National Science Week, Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. It provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge and aims to encourage young people to be fascinated by the world in which they live.

Science is one of the most important subjects in the school curriculum due to its relevance to students' lives. Of special relevance is the universally applicable problem-solving and critical thinking skills it uses and develops to create solutions and make decisions. Research shows that developing the science inquiry skills can also teach young children that it is acceptable to fail, and that learning can come from making mistakes.

Natural human curiosity and necessity lead to asking questions such as “What is the problem?”, constructing a hypothesis “How do I solve it?”, testing it with evidence and evaluating the result “Did the solution work?”, and making future decisions based on that result.

‘Science isn’t just about learning facts, it is a way of thinking and developing skills so that we can understand the world,’ say authors of ACER’s ‘Science in the Early Years’.

Teaching technological literacy, critical thinking and problem-solving through science education gives students valuable skills and knowledge they need to succeed in school and beyond.

The world is changing at a rapid pace. Current and future problems need solving, and our boys will have the opportunity to contribute to them being solved. Developing a love of science and curiosity for scientific investigation through school and home has exciting potential.

Peter Grimes | Headmaster

References:

Science in the Early Years – Australian Council for Educational Research (2020) - Christine Rosicka and Gayl O’Connor

Importance of Science Education in Schools (2021) The University of Texas https://academicpartnerships.uta.edu/articles/education/importance-of-science-education.aspx

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-17/thylacine-babies-in-10-years-genetic-engineering-team-says/101333144

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/

National Science Week

Happy National Science Week! This week, students celebrated Science and Technology through engaging in a variety of STEM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). The boys’ curiosity was sparked as they embraced new concepts and learned through trialling, testing and refining ideas. From kite making, bridge challenges, blue bot mazes and drawing, balloon powered cars and best of all, a Sphero balloon battle, students were provided opportunities to innovate, ideate and problem solve. These STEM activities, in addition to the weekly Science and Technology lessons delivered by classroom teachers, encourage a sense of wonder in the boys to help them understand how the world around them works. Our hope is to provide experiences that enable our students to contribute to the world as active global citizens, both now and in the future.

Ms Alex Fentoullis | Director of Learning and Innovation
Mr Matt Blackband | Director of Information Technology

Reflections of the STEM Activity by Raf Chubb and Harry Birch, Year 5.

This week, Year 5 were lucky enough to have the pleasure of participating in National Science Week. Mr Blackband and Mr Lee organised some awesome activities including Sphero Balloon Pop and a Straw Bridge Challenge.

We met in the undercroft at 8:30am and then we were told the rules for tasks ahead. First up was the Sphero Balloon Pop. Little did we know the war we were about to fight. In pairs, students got the materials and then chose their construction site. Then we set off to work. After 15 minutes it was time for an elimination war. In the end, it was a peaceful tie.

After the dramatic battle, we became builders with a mission to craft a bridge that could hold as many weights as possible. With limited resources but unlimited imagination we built the ultimate bridge. There was a wide variety of designs, but in the end the most that a bridge could hold was 1.4 kilograms.

In conclusion, we had a great time but really none of this could have happened without Mr Blackband's and Mr Lee's help. So thank you very much to Mr Blackband and Mr Lee.