BUDDING engineers from two local schools have completed a joint project that challenged them to design and build scale models of a new Windsor Bridge.
The Year 3 and 4 students from Windsor Public School and Comleroy Road Public School collaborated to create their bridge models, in a joint Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) project involving the two schools.
Year 3 and 4 teacher at Comleroy Road, Kathryn Walker, said the unit of work - called Build-A-Bridge - was an example of project-based learning.
“This allows them to become critical thinkers, problem solvers and to collaborate with peers. These are essential skills for our future leaders,” she told the Gazette.
Ms Walker said it was important the topic for the STEM unit was connected to the students’ local community.
“To begin the unit, local Historian Michelle Nichols visited our schools to teach us about the history of the Bridge. The students then researched the different styles of bridges and decided on an appropriate type,” she said.
“The young engineers drew up scale drawings of their chosen design and used this as a reference when building their models from recycled materials. All bridges were designed and built solely by the students.
“This has been an amazing learning experience for our students which they have thoroughly enjoyed.”
Build-A-Bridge was devised by Ms Walker along with Windsor Public School teacher, Kathryn Slawski.
“The classes have been communicating with each other via an online blog, Microsoft Office 365 and connected classrooms. They have shared ideas, critiqued each other's work and reflected on the learning experiences,” Ms Walker said.
