Ballarat Tech School 2023 Learning Programs Overview

About Us

Ballarat Tech School is designed to engage, inspire and prepare students for lifelong learning in a changing, highly STEM focused world. Through partnerships and collaboration our programs equip students with transferable skills for STEM pathways, and build capability and confidence in teachers, linking both to emerging and future industry partners.

Our programs are free to attend onsite (including transportation) for partner schools and many of them can be accessed by other schools through hybrid models, virtual delivery or completed online through our learning portal.

Our state of the art facilities are also available for hire to community groups and industry.

To make an inquiry or to book a program, contact us via phone, email or use the book now button on our website. We look forward to providing more amazing experiences for our community in 2023.

- Damon Minotti, Associate Director

USING THIS PROGRAM GUIDE

Our 2023 program guide has been structured to reflect the types of programs we offer and their increasing complexity by year level, and also to showcase other specialist STEM learning opportunities that are available to both students and teachers outside normal program delivery.

Our goal is to help schools embed experiences at the Tech School into their everyday learning so students can associate program experiences with future learning and work opportunities. We can do this by tailoring our programs to individual school or class needs, modifying programs to be delivered in hybrid onsite/at school models, breaking them down into smaller repeat visits or providing pre and post classroom materials to get the most out of each program.

Please contact us to discuss any variations in program structure that might help you deliver the best experience possible to your students. We encourage teachers to consider their choice of program(s) and learning opportunities, not only in the context of their own classroom curriculum, but also what may be possible for their students in the future with well developed STEM related skills.

Each program lists relevant Curriculum, Capabilities and Industry Iinks along with key Tech Knowledge and “21st Century Skills” (which are taken from the World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2020 and its accompanying O*NET Skills analysis) and “Jobs of the Future” (taken from 100jobsofthfuture.com a project by Ford Australia, Deakin University & Griffith University).

We have included these to provoke some thought and discussion about how Tech School programs might help to prepare students for work that is emerging and not necessarily addressed by current day curriculum.

CORE PROGRAMS PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Our programs are colour coded to make navigation easier.

Beside some programs listed on the next page you will see symbols that denote where the delivery model is more flexible.

We encourage you to discuss with us any program where you feel an alternative delivery option or time frame will suit best to assist embedding the learning into your classroom.

These are integrated, cross curricular programs that relate to multiple subject areas of the Victorian Curriculum, address one or more of the key Capabilities and/or provide specific upskilling that can be applied in other programs.

Students are challenged to apply STEM design thinking and technology skills to develop solutions to real life scenarios, and teachers are supported to facilitate pre and post learning activities.

VCE MASTERCLASSES

Carefully designed to give VCE students subject specific hands-on skills using industry standard or above equipment and technology.

VCE Masterclasses can be customised to partner schools and School Assessed Curriculum (SAC) as required.

They are limited to 2-3 hours in duration to minimise impact on student timetables and can be arranged for a double period.

ONLINE PROGRAMS

These are integrated multi modular programs that students can access individually from home, teachers can deliver to their students in class or they can be facilitated by Tech School STEM Educators through a series of online interactions.

The learning content of online programs is a mixture of informative text, short videos, website links, coding instruction and hands-on activities. There is capability within the online learning platform for teachers to monitor individual student access to the materials and to see achievement levels

SPECIALIST STEM OPPORTUNITIES

The Tech School facilitates an array of STEM focused and industry supported competitions, challenges and events, specifically designed for a wide range of student interests and abilities.

Some of these combine students from multiple schools to form interschool collaborative groups, encouraging networking and broadening the experience of all involved. Students have access to local, cutting-edge industry experts and mentors to inspire them.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

Available for teachers across a variety of content, pedagogy and technology areas, professional learning sessions will be regularly available each term and promoted through our eNews. Sessions can also be undertaken within onsite core program delivery and teachers are encouraged to reach out to codesign programs to address their specific skill or knowledge needs.

STEM in Action

CORE PROGRAM

The Art of Science

Students are introduced to the scientific method by applying it in a hands-on trial and error experiment and then identifying and implementing changes to their method to improve the outcomes. The program supports students to participate in the Peter Doherty Science Award, equipping them with the tools and inspiration to pursue their own scientific investigations. The workshop deliberately uses everyday materials that can be found in supermarkets, demonstrating to students that the application of science is accessible to everyone.

Part 1: Given a model biological problem, students formulate a testable hypothesis and apply the scientific method to rapidly test the effectiveness of a range of solutions to control the growth of baker’s yeast.

Part 2: The focus is on identifying the independent, dependent and controlled variables in relation to the execution of a fair test, and repeatable trials to support the validity of results.

Past 3: Students repeat their experiment, implementing the improvements identified in part 2. Results and a scientific method poster template are taken back to school for discussion and completion. Perfect Pathway: Peter Doherty Science Award (page 46 - 47)

SUCCESS

Prototyping Skills

Automation – Robotic Solutions

NAO – Humanoid Assistant Robots

pressure on front line health care workers and support an ageing population to stay in their own homes longer.

This program is a highly engaging way of introducing or enhancing students programming knowledge using visual node-based programming skills while considering personal, social, ethical questions about the future as they design robotic responses to real service industry and care assistance scenarios.

Day 1 – Students meet NAO (now) Robots and are introduced to Choregraph software, completing a number of introductory and increasingly complex workshops to program NAO for conversation and human interactions.

Day 2 – Students apply their knowledge and skills from day 1 participating in a Design Thinking sprint to create a robotic program for the benefit of a sick, elderly, injured person or person with a disability.

Each day is divided into 3 sessions with a morning tea break (20 mins) and a lunch break (30 mins) included both days.

Program Modification: Can be adapted to LOTE classes in French, German or Japanese.

Disaster Relief Housing

Virtual Reality in Twin Motion

Virtual Reality in Twin Motion

2 Hours or 1 Day Onsite

9:30 - 11:30am or 9:30 - 2:30pm Online N/A

With the potential of Virtual reality combined with powerful yet simple software called Twin Motion, students will be able to create high quality visualisations which they can then explore using our Virtual Reality headsets.

Twin Motion is used by many architectural and design professionals to create detailed high-quality environments that allow them to visualise their creations in high resolution 3D renders. These environments can then be explored further by utilising virtual reality headsets to provide a life-like experience.

When students come to the Tech School, they will create an environment that links with their studies at school. Twin Motion has a huge library of assets which allows students to create a large range of environments from cityscapes to rural properties. Examples of creations are bee friendly environments, school courtyard makeovers, functional townships and garden landscapes.

Once students have created their environments, they will utilise our virtual reality headsets to explore their creations from a life-like perspective. This allows students to understand size and scale and to experience what it might feel like to be in their environment.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Identify key components required to create a functional space which meets the design brief.

• Create a 3D environment in Twin Motion.

• Create a flyover video which showcases their custom designed environment.

• Understand the environmental impacts of their design.

VCGGK111, VCSSU100 @BTS • Game Maker in Unreal Engine

PATHWAY POSSIBILITIES

• The Bypass Builder - Roads, VR & Big Data • Digital Design - 3D Modelling in Blender

@FEDERATION TAFE & UNI

During this one-day program, students will learn to pilot a Tello drone to trigger a VEX IQ robot to perform a rescue operation. Search and retrieval operations are one of the many industry applications of ground and aerial robotics. In this one day program, students will learn to build, configure and code a VEX IQ robot which will incorporate the use of lights, proximity sensors and bump triggers. Students will work in pairs throughout the day to develop a search and retrieval solution which they will showcase in a whole class challenge at the end of the day.

Session 1: Students work in pairs to assemble their VEX IQ robot and explore how to use bump sensors and proximity sensors to replicate current real world examples such as a robot vacuum or lawn mower.

Break

Session 2: Increasingly complex programming is introduced to students, and they start to investigate how to design a solution for a search and retrieval challenge. Students will also design a custom-built ad on to their VEX IQ which will enable a drone to trigger an event on their robot.

Lunch

Session 3: Students will learn how to fly a Tello drone and hone their piloting skills. They will then combine their flying skills, combining these with their VEX IQ builds to simulate a search and retrieval scenario.

Designing for Laser Cutting

SUCCESS CRITERIA

Game Maker in Unreal Engine

Game Maker in Unreal Engine

the full suite of core concepts and/or the visual scripting language of Blueprints.

Session 1: Students work individually to complete a number of challenges laid out in a gamified manner, guiding them through basics of the software including the manipulation of the game objects, default settings like physics and materials, and interfacing with scripted objects such as enemies and Non-Playable Character (NPCs).

Session 2: Once basics have been established, students can choose one or more specialised areas to learn more about and work in pairs to complete a storyboard of an idea that they will bring to life in the Unreal Engine.

Session 3: Students can learn more advanced techniques, such as modifying elements like gravity, player’s jumping ability and even modifying scripted objects in the visual scripting language of ‘Blueprints’. Students present their storyboard progress to their classmates.

Perfect Pathway: Digital Design - 3D Modelling in Blender (page 26 - 27)

Soil Science

Session

Session

Session

SUCCESS

(collection of vertices) you can then manipulate the “mesh” to form a realistic object, displaying characteristics you would expect to see in real life.

3D Modelling is becoming an integral part of many careers, from Engineering and Architecture to Game Design and Special Effects and will have increasing application in jobs of the future. In this program students will learn the basics using freely available software, including important shortcuts to help them become more efficient designers.

Session 1: Students are introduced to Blender software and the concept of “Hotkeys” and begin the process of creating a simple 3D model of an object within a virtual environment.

Session 2: As students develop more confidence and skill, additional 3D modelling techniques are included, as are material / light sciences to create a photorealistic scene.

Session 3: Students share ideas & progress, collaborating to ensure that they can produce a finished product. Extension steps are added for those who master the skills quickly & students present their object to the class. PATHWAY POSSIBILITIES

Perfect Pathway: Game Maker in Unreal Engine (page 22 - 23)

Session

Game of Drones - Build, Code, Fly

Year

10, VCE

Systems Engineering/Electronics

1 Day Onsite or Multi-Session

9:30am – 2:30pm Online N/A

When you play the Game of Drones, you win when you fly! Drones are currently used in a large variety of industries as well as for recreational purposes. From inspecting wind turbines or agricultural crops to Defence Force racing teams, there are many careers on offer for drone pilots.

Game of Drones gives students hands on experience learning to code, test and fly drones whilst discussing what the future of drones may look like. It lends itself to students currently studying subjects such as systems engineering or electronics. A basic understanding of electrical circuits will ensure students get the most out of the program.

Session 1 - Introduction to drone components and function. Students build a model drone before wiring up an Arduino to our custom-made drone test rig, coding to control all 4 motors using a joystick to determine the power supplied to each motor.

Session 2 – Students trial their setup on our BTS drone test rig to see if they can balance the quad to sit level and are challenged to consider how they might change their code to reflect more accurately what a flight control does to keep a drone flying level.

Session 3 – After lunch, students will have the opportunity to earn their “wings” in our “Top Gun” pilots challenge. Flying our Tello drones, they receive a mission brief which they will need to practice flying manually, before moving onto coding the drones to complete the mission using the interactive mission control pads.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Understand the components of a drone.

• Develop an understanding of a basic electronic circuit and how it functions to control electric motors.

• Create a successful drone prototype test rig.

• Successfully fly a drone using manual controls.

• Automate a drone flight to complete a set mission.

VCSSU132, VCSSU133, VCE Systems Engineering 1, 2, 3 & 4

Wind Turbine Technician

The Bypass Builder - Road Construction, VR & Big Data CORE PROGRAM

VCE Psychology - Virtual Brain

CURRICULUM FOCUS

• Science – Psychology • Year 10 Introduction to Psychology • VCE Unit 1: Area of Study 1: Outcome 1: Role of the brain in mental processes & behaviour

TECH KNOWLEDGE

Program Variation

FOCUS

SKILLS

SUCCESS CRITERIA

JOBS OF THE FUTURE

FOCUS

Part 1: Students use “beer goggles” to simulate different levels of blood alcohol concentration and complete tasks to measure self-control and perceptual distortion.

Part 2: Students use “fatal vision” glasses to simulate sleep deprivation and explore how it can affect speed and accuracy.

Part 3: Students use the 0.25 BAC “beer goggles” and “fatal vision” glasses to complete an interactive activity measuring their speed and accuracy.

Students collect data throughout to use post visit, applying key science skills to a practical task.

Prior to attending, teachers will be provided with activity ideas designed to spark discussion around awareness, how features of consciousness change in different states and comparing sleep deprived states to alcohol induced states.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Consciousness as a continuum.

• The changes to a person’s psychological state as an indicator of their level of consciousness.

• The effects of partial sleep deprivation.

• The effects on consciousness of one full nights sleep deprivation as a comparison with the effects of legal blood alcohol concentration.

VCE STEM MASTERCLASSES

VCE Biology – Molecular Genetics Of Disease

CURRICULUM FOCUS

• Science – Biological Sciences

• VCE Unit 2 (AOS1):

How is inheritance explained?

• VCE Unit 3 (AOS1): What is the role of nucleic acids and proteins in maintaining life?

• VCE Unit 4 (AOS3): Student Designed Scientific Investigation and Scientific Poster

VCE STEM MASTERCLASSES

VCE Biology – Photosynthesis & Respiration

CURRICULUM FOCUS

VCE STEM MASTERCLASSES

VCE Biology – Transformation & Gene Regulation

Students will get hands-on experience in modern molecular biology techniques.

They will work with a plasmid containing the heterologous gene encoding green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the arabinose operon.

The students will investigate the process of bacterial transformation as they introduce the GFP containing plasmid into E.coli and select for its presence using an antibiotic.

They will also investigate gene regulation in bacteria as they induce expression of GFP by way of the inclusion of arabinose in the growth medium and fluorescence by excitation under UV light.

Students will set up and run a controlled scientific experiment that clearly demonstrates the relationship between independent and dependent variables.

Students will also learn how to process and analyse their data. The students take their samples back to school and analyse them after an incubation period.

CURRICULUM FOCUS

• Unit 3 (AOS1): What is the role of nucleic acids and proteins in maintaining life?

• Unit 4 (AOS3): How is scientific inquiry used to investigate cellular processes and/or biological change?

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Undertaking laboratory work in a small team to perform a bacterial transformation.

• Applying an understanding of the gene regulation to control expression of a fluorescent protein.

• Analysis and interpretation of experimental results.

• Safe use of lab technology.

CENTURY SKILLS

JOBS OF THE FUTURE

VCE Unit 3 topics covered in this online revision are:

of Study 1: How does the nervous system enable psychological functioning?

of Study 2: How do people learn and remember? The program includes videos to engage students with each concept and complimentary explanations, followed by practice questions and application tasks. VCE Unit 4 topics covered in this online revision are:

of Study 1: How do levels of consciousness affect mental processes and behaviour? Area of Study 2: What influences mental wellbeing? The program includes videos to engage students with each concept and complimentary explanations, followed by practice questions and application tasks.

Peter Doherty Science Award

Girls in STEM

SKILLS

Challenges & Events

Throughout the year, Ballarat Tech School will run a number of different design challenges or events, some with other Tech Schools and Specialist Science Centres.

To get involved in these, subscribe to our eNews, follow us on Social Media and keep an eye on our website for registration and sign up information.

This page shows events run previously and planned to run again in 2023, along with other new and exciting initiatives.

Regional Rail Revival Challenge:

Open to years 4-10 to students from all regional Tech Schools, the challenge is to design an element of future rail travel for 2050. Great prizes to be won for teams that make it to the state final.

Get Into Games:

An onsite Gaming Expo and workshops, supported by the City of Ballarat, showcasing careers and skills in this multi-billion dollar industry.

Science Week:

Specially developed programs based on the annual National Science Week theme and made available to diverse and specialty cohorts.

eSports:

Onsite gaming competitions held during school holiday periods or after school hours and structured for a variety of age groups.

Contact us to find out how to join our eSports gaming community!

The LAB:

A technology club for young people on the autism spectrum who enjoy working with computers. Hosted onsite every Wednesday during school terms. Contact ballarat@thelab. org.au for information on how to join.

STEM Teachers Network

Teaching with

The

a

discuss how we can help.

Earth Ed programs aim to encourage a sense of curiosity and active participation by working together with the goal of teaching and learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Our programs are delivered onsite, as outreach and online (rural only) for Victorian students. Our programs aim to engage students in hands-on inquirybased learning across a broad range of curriculum areas.

Earth Ed is proud to offer the VCE Masterclasses supported by the DET Victorian Challenge and Enrichment series. Students from Victorian government schools can access FREE masterclasses across a range of VCE study areas presented by experts. These interactive sessions are presented online and are also available as recordings.

Go to https://earthed.vic.edu.au/vce-masterclass-series/ for more information.

Alongside the network of Victorian Tech Schools, Earth Ed is one of six science and mathematics specialist centres engaging students and teachers across the state in contemporary, authentic science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning experiences.

Ballarat Tech School and Earth Ed work closely together to ensure that students in our region are exposed to as wide a variety of STEM learning opportunities and future pathways as possible. If you cannot find

program that suitable links to your area of curriculum at either BTS or Earth Ed, please contact us to

EEDConnect is our online platform for teachers. Designed to support our programs, EEDConnect offers a range of pre and post learning materials aligned to the Victorian Curriculum. This is a free resource for all DET Victorian (P-12) teachers.

To sign up please visit our website https://earthed.vic.edu.au/eedconnect/.

Digital Technology Programs

Available in 2023, Augmented Reality and Internet of Things are designed to promote student critical and creative thinking using digital technologies. Students are challenged to apply these skills in a real-world context.

For information on all our programs, see our website https://earthed.vic.edu.au/all-programs/

Remote Learning Programs

We understand access to STEM experts and resources can be difficult for our rural schools. Our online programs are a great opportunity for rural students to engage in STEM learning from their own classroom. These 30-minute interactive sessions offer live teaching, discussion, and engaging challenges for students.

For more information go to https://earthed.vic. edu.au/remote-programs/

Experiences & Feedback STUDENT

STUDENT

AND TEACHER EXPERIENCE FEEDBACK

“It was a lot of fun and it was very interactive while also teaching me quite a lot about the subjects.”

“It was really cool learning how to work robots/electronics and how they will impact our future.”

“It was good to think about how others would approach different tasks and to try working with others I wouldn’t normally work with.”

“The Tech School was very interesting, the activities we did were fun and I was engaged in my work which is hard for me to do!”

“Today was very exciting and its nothing like what I’ve done before, It was a great opportunity to work on problem-solving abilities.”

“Was a very fun and engaging experience that was equally theory based and hands on.”

“The instructors were very skilled and the technology the Tech school used was cutting edge. Overall, very well run and fun.”

Experiences & Feedback

“ The Tech School staff have a wealth of experience and knowledge to share, are passionate about what they teach and are able to inspire the same passion in students.”

“The hands on learning aspect is vital for student learning. It also allows for real world application to be incorporated into school work.”

“Great promotion of language and cross-curricular programs increase student engagement.”

“Student engagement was very high , the hands on aspect is very appealing the learning environment is suitable for diverse learners.”

“Working with students from different backgrounds, the Tech School allows us to access learning and resources that are not available in the students current learning environment.”

“Many of my students can be disengagement from their in class work so it was great to see them participating and to see students that don’t normally speak out in class take a more active role in their learning.”

“Access to exciting technologies, challenging ideas and future problem solving pushes students out of their comfort zones and develops forward thinking mindsets.”

Level 1, Building K, Federation University SMB Campus 136 Albert St, Ballarat Central VIC 3350 03 5327 8080

ballarattechschool@federation.edu.au www.ballarattechschool.vic.edu.au