What is STEMIE17 – STEMIE17 stands for Science Technology Engineering Maths Innovation Experience 2017. This is an invitation only program in which a number of schools engage in a range of activities based on a theme.
This year the students are working on 4 projects associated with setting up a fictitious town in country South Australia – the town to be named Delores. The town will be linked by a high-speed rail line not only to Adelaide but also to Melbourne and Sydney. The train will travel up to 500 km/h which will make access to the new city quick and easy.
The four tasks the students are completing are:
Science Task – being undertaken by Year 11 Scientific Studies class
In this task students conduct research into numbats and do an investigation in to a revegetation program so that wild populations of numbats can be released into the areas surrounding this new development. Students are looking at factors that affect plant growth.
Technology Task – being undertaken by Year 11 Electronics class. In this task students are designing and building a predator detection system that can be fitted to the dingo proof fence that surrounds the Yookamarra Sanctuary (a numbat breeding facility located near proposed town). This will monitor the number of potential predators that may affect the wild populations when released.
Engineering Task – being undertaken by the Year 10 Engineering Science class. In this task students will build a model of the bridge which will be required to cross the River Murray so that the train can reach the new township. Students are investigating bridge design and construction techniques to incorporate into their design. They will also model and test their bridge using a CAD (computer aided design) program.
Mathematics Tasks – being undertaken by the Year 10 Engineering Science class. In this task students are designing the 1st stage on the development of the new town. This stage will house 3000 people and provide all the facilities that will make Delores a desirable place to live. The plans also include a new high tech industrial site that will provide jobs for 1000 people and can be expanded as the town grows.
We have been involved in similar challenges over the last few years, but this is the first time we have been able to imbed the tasks in a range of Year 10 and 11 subjects. Over 40 students are involved in the classes that are undertaking these tasks.
Six students will be representing our school at a Regional Showcase in late October. The school that scores the highest out of the 6 schools attending will then move on to the State Final in November.
We will keep you up to date as we progress through the challenges.
