Year 6 STEM

The Year 6 STEM students, otherwise known as the OT SQUAD assembled in Term 1 to begin their study of the human brain and how it is the computer that directs not only themselves, but how they interact with others.

Understanding the purpose of the right and left brain, our 10 students got to task on developing circuits and conceptual ideas using Science, Maths, Engineering and Music. At this early stage of their program it was simply thoughts, conversations, a few written ideas and some model making. But it all came to life when we received the call from Highercombe Aged Care Residential.

With the same idea in mind, the OT Squad met the residents of Highercombe last week for their first of four visits. Armed with hand made engaging games like table air hockey, ping pong ski ball, playdough making, maze mania and an anti-gravity table, our students brought their OT ideas to life in a delightful afternoon of intergenerational activities.

The “fruits” that come from different generations spending time with each other were evident at this gathering. While our students were placed somewhat out of their comfort zone, the nerves disappeared quickly once the residents and students sat to give gifts and introduce themselves personally.

Over the coming weeks, we will be turning our resident’s life stories into digital books, performing musical items and battling out future games of billiards while serving afternoon tea on robotic carriages built by the Squad. I am very proud of their creativity and execution of ideas, not to mention their gentle, mature and respectful nature with their new friends.

Let me finish painting this picture with a short story shared by the Highercombe Coordinator, Beth…

Mel and June are two ladies who have remained in their rooms for the most part of the past month and were responding only to one-on-one visits from the residential staff. On hearing about our Prescott students visiting, they both left their rooms to join the activity room and had smiles and conversations for the first time in quite a while. They barely left the air hockey table and Mel felt like she was revisiting her earlier days as a childcare worker.

Stay tuned to hear more…