Technology STEM

Description

In Levels 7 and 8, students investigate and consider the ways characteristics and properties of technologies can be combined to create designed solutions to problems. Using a range of technologies including a variety of graphical representation techniques to communicate, students generate and clarify ideas through sketching, modelling, Story boards, brainstorming and mindmaps. They use a range of symbols and technical terms in a range of contexts to produce patterns, annotated concept sketches and drawings that employ scale, pictorial and aerial views to draw environments.

Learning Standards

Science – inquiry based approach that include:

• Science Understanding

• Physical sciences

• Planning and Conducting

• Analysing and Evaluating

Technology – ICT, CNC machinery that include:

• Investigating

• Generating

• Planning and Management

• Production

• Evaluating

Engineering – that includes:

• Principles and Systems

• Mathematics – logical reasoning, problem solving skills that include:

• Geometric reasoning

• Measurements and Geometry

• Statistics and Probability

• Data representation and Interpretation

• Linear and nonlinear relationships

• Assessment

Even though the three curriculum strands are listed separately in the Victorian Curriculum, key knowledge and skills across all the three strands show significant overlapping. This allows the reporting for the STEM Elective to incorporate key knowledge and learning skills seamlessly from all the 3 strands.

Semester based project that covers the following:

• Investigating

• Generating

• Planning and Management

• Producing

• Evaluating

Pathways

• Further study in Product Design and Technology, Science and Mathematics

• University

• TAFE

• Traineeships/Apprenticeships/Employment

Encounter Religion Description

Students investigate the ideas of identity, stewardship, futures, and legacies through a Catholic lens. They examine their lives by exploring scripture themes and ideas such as sustainability, masculinity, the writings of the Pope, the history of the Church in Australia and changes to the Catholic Church over time. Catholic traditions are explored in depth and connections to other religions are also made.

Learning Standards

Religious Education develops the knowledge and understanding of the key practices and beliefs of Christian communities both past and present.

Reasoning and responding

Focuses on the development of ways of thinking and acting that arise out of Christian knowledge and understanding which will enable students to respond to Catholic tradition and its call to contribute to the building of the reign of God.

Personal and communal engagement

Focuses on the nurturing of the spiritual life and the importance of belonging to the faith community. It embraces student articulation and application of learned religious truths and values in their own personal lives and broader communities.

Assessment

• Unit assignments and class work.

• A mid-year and an end-of-year examination.

A student’s personal faith is not the subject of assessment or reporting in Religious Education.

Effective assessment design ensures a variety of ways to gather evidence of student growth and learning. Student dialogue, discussion, observations and/or feedback all provide opportunities to gather rich evidence.

RESource documents on the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) website provide materials to plan, teach, and assess Religious Education. To Know, Worship and Love (KWL) text units are also used with the Religious Education Curriculum.