In an exciting new initiative ‘Think Blast’ day was held at Colo High School recently for its seven feeder primary schools – Bilpin, Comleroy Road, Grose View, Kurmond, Kurrajong, Kurrajong North and Richmond North.
Think Blast is an exciting new STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning initiative in the Hawkesbury. This was a challenge day where stage two students had great fun exercising their minds.
Assisted by year nine Colo High School mentors, the year three and four primary students stretched their problem solving skills and tested their critical thinking abilities.
Each primary school was represented by a team of six which competed in a series of hotly contested challenges. There was a knowledge contest where teams had to show what they knew about the Hawkesbury and the wider world around them.
They then progressed through science trials which had them manipulating robots, building experimental apparatus and solving an environmental mystery. After lunch there was a complex engineering puzzle which combined design with building skills.
In 2018 the overall winning team was Kurrajong Primary School. So, for this year the perpetual Think Blast trophy will reside at Kurrajong.
The Think Blast organising team made up of Suzan Pattinson and Vanessa Pilgrim from Colo High School, Tamara Hopkins from Grose view Public and Melanie Mackie from Bilpin Public, intend for the day to be an annual event.
“It not only showcased the advanced thinking skills of our young students, but it was an excellent example of how secondary and primary educators can work together to maximise genuine learning opportunities,” Ms Pattison said.
Stage two of Think Blast continues next term. The Colo Learning Group primary schools will continue to be supported by Colo High’s year nine students as they work on local environmental issues and develop a presentation for the Innovation Games at Homebush in August.
