STEM takes over Explosive experiments and technological wonders took over Newington’s three campuses in April during week-long celebrations of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The biennial STEM Festival at the Stanmore campus saw STEM subjects leap beyond the core curriculum and the classroom. Liquid nitrogen, robotics, AI and lasers were all part of the fun, culminating in Newington’s biggest science experiment as 900 students from Years 7 to 10 created an eruption with more than 200 bottles of Coke. This year, for the first time, parents and carers were given the chance to get back into the classroom and experience life as a student at the College. Adults took hands- on evening classes on dissection, sports science and foodtechnology, as well as night sky viewing through the College telescope. At Wyvern, STEM Week offered boys the Harry Firth creates crème brûlée ice cream. opportunity to engage in a vast range of activities that stirred their passion for unique opportunity to work collaboratively bridge building was a highlight. science and technology and linked and think critically and creatively. ‘My favourite activity was probably the directly with the curriculum. ‘The boys have been able to display a bridge building because you have to Rockfest took on new meaning for Year 4 passion for “everything science”, which think about the design and if it will hold as they visited the Senior School’s super will continue to foster a confidence that a tin can, and then make it,’ he said. labs for a geology lesson, while boys from we hope will have our boys taking up all For some boys, science experiments Year 5 joined Senior School studentsat types and levels of science in the were the best part of the week, while the Stanmore campus for an evening future,’ she said. other students were captivated by the of stargazing, managing to see Jupiter’s At Lindfield Prep, the arts were added into excitement of racing F1 cars on a track. striations and some of its moons. In the mix at its inaugural STEAM Festival. ‘My personal highlight was the science Kindergarten, the boys welcomed scaly Over three days, Year 6 students led experiments because they were interesting visitors from the Australian Reptile Park experiments and demonstrations that and good fun through school,’ said Year into their classroom. included racing F1 cars, building bridges 5 student George Dunham. ‘Secondly, Wyvern House STEM teacher Ms Lindsay and creating electrical circuits. I mostly enjoyed racing the F1 cars. Bosch said the week gave the boys a Year 5 student Aiden Webb thought the I found building the bridges challenging.’ Lindfield Prep students Michael Sheehy, Aryan Parents and carers look on as Ms Joanne Heaume demonstrates a dissection. Jata and William Killen. 4| NEWS SPRING 2018 | GRATITUDE