Beginning to Code

The Year 3 students will begin using Scratch Junior. They will be developing their skills in coding by using the Scratch Junior App. This will be building on from the computer science foundation these girls received as Year 2’s.

ScratchJr Mission statement - ‘As children code with ScratchJr, they learn how to create and express themselves with the computer, not just to interact with it. In the process, children learn to solve problems and design projects, and they develop sequencing skills that are foundational for later academic success. They also use math and language in a meaningful and motivating context, supporting the development of numeracy and literacy. With ScratchJr, children aren't just learning to code, they are coding to learn.’

Minecraft Club

Another technology club that has been introduced in Term 2 is the Minecraft Club.  

We are delighted that three Year 7 girls have been mentored to be facilitators of this group.  

Imogen Masters, Maia Stanbury and Ceira Roche are using their leadership skills to guide

students through tasks using Minecraft.  Currently, students are learning a variety of skills

within Minecraft which will enable them to exist in ‘survival mode’. A number of strategies

can be executed to collect resources, build structures and battle mobs, manage hunger and

explore the world to survive and thrive.

Robotic Electric Guitar

We have started to create musical instruments for our band.  We are happy with this collaborative build, however, playing it with a recognizable tune is our next challenge.  

Y8 DVC

Over the past term, the Year 8 students have been learning the process of design, research, and creation of a mobile phone charging station.  They have learned to isometrically draw their designs before crafting their models from foamboard.  Seeing their prototype models being developed has been exciting.

The girls are keen to further develop their cutting skills.

Girl Engineers

As part of Construction Club, the girls are faced with challenges of many kinds. Challenges that may require fine motor skills and dexterity, others may involve electronics and circuits but all require teamwork, communication and perseverance.

These girls made a drum beater - and in the process learned how to make a solid structure and a lever mechanism.

These girls made a strumming instrument, similar to a guitar, but the challenge was the musician had to be 5 metres away from the 'guitar - like' structure. This posed a few problems.

This term ventures into circuits. 

Have a go at creating your own circuit here then try to complete these challenges below

CHALLENGES

1. Make a circuit with a bulb, battery and a switch

2. Make a circuit with 2 bulbs but only one is switched on/off with a switch.

3. What happens when you have 6 batteries and one bulb?

4. What happens when you have 6 bulbs and 1 battery?  

Pirate Day

When Ms Campbell comes to our class we put on our computer science thinking hats, but today instead we dressed up in our pirate outfits for Pirate Day.

Throughout the term, we made our own maps, compasses and features for our maps. We learned of North, South, East & West directions and how we can use the directions as an algorithm ( a set of clear and accurate instructions)  to get from our pirate ship to find the buried treasure.

The challenge was to transfer the dotted pathway into directional code.

These are our best pirate faces!

These are our best pirate sounds!

Technology supporting Y7 English Curriculum

Year 7: Using the laser cutter to create a template for a "matchbox" that the students put together and decorate. Inside is a trinket that the students have hand drawn and it is then laser cut in a material of the student's choice - wood, coloured acrylic. This is all part of their process for recount writing in English.