Innovative Concepts

An Exploratorium has been set up at Wiley Park Girls High School to engage students and the community in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts.

Teacher Murray Henstock said the Exploratorium offers a hands-on way to explore science concepts instead of the traditional lesson-based approach.

“More hands on experiences lead to self-discovery,” he said.

“It makes students more comfortable to ask questions and become curious about what’s going on.”

The Exploratorium is located in a regular learning space. Mr Henstock wants Wiley Park Girls High School students, parents, friends and community members and students from other schools to “come and play and explore”.

Displays and interactives include a fire vortex, physics-based marble run, storm jar, wave machine, light board with a selection of x-rays and MRIs, optics bench, room-length solar system, air track and air table, giant earth model and a selection of biological models.

Temporary displays have included lasers, mirrors and projectors.

“Cross KLA and STEM opportunities are inherent in its design to allow for maximum participation by all students and faculties,” Mr Henstock said.

He hopes the Exploratorium will soon have a simulation computer, thermotrophic panels and an ever-expanding selection of interactive displays.

Taking students to science destinations like the Powerhouse Museum and Questacon was Mr Henstock’s inspiration for the Exploratorium. During an Inspiring Science Teacher’s Program workshop at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) in late 2014 participants were encouraged to come up with ideas to make science more engaging, hands on and inquiry based and link these new ideas to STEM. He shared his Exploratorium idea and in early 2015 he hosted an Inspiring Science Teach Meet at Wiley Park Girls High for teachers from the region and the UTS Inspiring Science Network plus UTS representatives to begin building the Exploratorium.

Mr Henstock said they set up equipment, trialled new instalments, tested things out and developed inspired ways of presenting random science tools.

“The University of Technology, Sydney provided support to obtain some desired items of equipment to help establish the Exploratorium,” Mr Henstock said.

He said some teachers donated their own items while others took away ideas on how they could do something similar in their schools or just use old equipment in new ways.

http://education.nswtf.org.au/education8/features-1/invitation-play/

Currently in development, the Hall of Inspiration is a tailored walkway set in an educational environment where selected individuals that personify the results of hard work, perseverance, and dedication across all the KLAs are displayed to provide ongoing and regular inspiration to students as they walk past each day.

At the end of the Hall will be a mirror with the words …

“What will your story be”

Currently in development, the Garden of Reflection is aimed to provide students with a quiet natural environment in which to process thoughts and seek inspiration. Aimed at students at all levels the Garden of Reflection will contain sculptures, water features, a variety of sitting and working spaces, shaded and open areas as well as selected plants designed to attract key native wild-life as well as provide educational opportunities for teachers to utilise this area in content specific ways.

Currently under construction

Currently in development, the interactive garden concept involves a space where students can get hands on with sculptures, props and activities that stimulate imagination, inspiration and curiosity with water features, interactive science models, large scale musical instruments, and natural props and constructions. Inspired by the science gardens around the world.

Currently in development the In-School Installation Extravaganza aims to replicate Sydney’s VIVID expo on the school grounds using student work and inspiration to create sound, light and interactive displays for the local community.

Currently in development the Flexible Command Centre aims to be a central ICT based resource that allows students to replicate and solve real-world scenarios in a project based learning environment such as pathogen outbreaks, remote robotic control missions, team based challenges and forensic crime solving to name a few

Currently in development the Immersive Learning Environment project involves the construction of a planetarium as phase 1. This provides the opportunities for students to be immersed into not just space environments but any environment that can be filmed and projected in 360 degrees.

Currently in development, the Newseum concept is based on the idea of students being able to display items of interest to them across the KLAs. This student led, student curated project is aimed to develop long term interest, student inquiry and an appreciation of the world around us.