Sharing Our Learning
Adaptive Designs take out peoples choice award at STEM MAD 2022
On Tuesday 6th September, four Year 6 students from St Joseph’s Primary School, Port Macquarie represented the Lismore Diocese in Melbourne at STEM MAD 2022. STEM MAD is the National STEM competition, where students are set with the task of creating a prototype of a product that will make a difference (MAD) in someone’s life. In Melbourne, the students participated in a showcase event as part of the National Catholic Education Conference presenting their project to an audience of their peers and Catholic Education delegates from across Australia
Over the last three months, Year 6 students Matilda Coleman, Jackson Coleman, Amelie Obeid and Gene Smith have committed to extra to workshops, before and after school, with the support of Mrs Emma Francis, Mrs Eloise Wilson and Mr David Lynch, to engage in the design thinking process and create a product that will make a difference in the lives of others.
After working with therapists from the Cerebral Palsy Alliance, the students embarked on a journey to create a range of modern and fashionable clothing that would allow the wearer to present themselves with dignity and pride. During the process the students collected and analysed data, developed skills in pattern making and sewing and adjusted their design in response to feedback.
Whilst at the conference, the team were provided with the opportunity to explore how other students from around Australia were making a difference and were provided with the opportunity to meet the highly inspiring Dr Jordan Nguyen. The students have come back to school, eager to share what they have learned with their peers. They have reported that this was a truly rewarding experience and wonder what we can design next to help make a difference in somebody else's life.
Emma Francis, Eloise Wilson and David Lynch
Stage 3 Teachers