LEARNING connected to the science, technology, mathematics and agriculture disciplines will be united at The Armidale School with the exciting launch of the TAS STEM Academy on September 1.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With a special focus initially on Middle School (Years 6-8) and Junior School (Transition – Year 5), which respectively offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years and Middle Years programmes, the Academy seeks to ensure that important skills and knowledge that will equip students for the future, will be taught across subject areas.
While the core STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths have long held a place in the TAS curriculum, headmaster, Murray Guest, said uniting them in a holistic sense integrates them seamlessly with the IB focus on inquiry-based learning.
“The many recent discussions about STEM in the media and broader community consistently refer to the preparation of students for the future and reinforce our understanding that having a solid background in STEM subjects will enable greater opportunities for life after school,” Mr Guest said.
“We have already invested significant resources in embedding these subjects throughout our broad Stage 5 Elective program for Year 9 and 10 students and within our HSC program, including extension offerings for Maths and Science from 2019.
“Technology and Engineering subjects like Software Design and Design and Technology have always been popular at TAS and the inclusion of Engineering Studies from next year will be a welcome addition.”
The importance of STEM as it relates to agriculture and primary resources will also be put in focus.
Mr Guest said the strong interest in the existing innovative Stage 5 semester courses such as Astrophysics and Projectile Motion, Aviation Studies, Cryptography, From Cells to Ecosystem, Beyond Electronics, Engine Mechanics, wearable technology, computer coding and robotics, as well as the long standing Forensic Science Camp, showed the Academy was a natural step.
He said everyone is invited to attend the launch of the Academy at an Open Day on September 1 at 12.30pm, which will include a variety of STEM-based activities.
TAS representatives will be at AgQuip.
- Site: C 25b.