Dakabin SHS students take part in an extra curricular science lesson with QUT second year pre-service teacher Ally Leighton as part of a QUT Step-Up program.

Creating optical illusions, testing colour against heat and measuring refraction of light are just some of the experiments students at schools north of Brisbane have been busy doing with QUT pre-service teachers.

For term three, some students are choosing to join a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) session each Thursday afternoon, instead of sport.

The STEM sessions were initiated during the Moreton Bay STEM Fest held from July to August whereby students in Years 7 and 8 from Burpengary SHS, Murrumba State Secondary College, North Lakes SHS and Dakabin SHS engaged in scientific investigations.

The students showcased hands-on projects including solar ovens, focusing light and growing plants with electricity. The experiments proved so popular among the students from Dakabin State High the sessions are set to continue.

QUT pre-service teacher, Alexandria Leighton , joined the group each Thursday afternoon with Dakabin science teacher Nicole Brown to gain valuable insight into classroom activities and how to engage and encourage students to choose STEM studies.

“It was an invaluable experience to mix with the students and to work with a science teacher to see how
investigations can be carried out in an interesting way,” Ms Leighton said. “I was involved in the STEM Fest and was keen to follow up and stay on working with the students.”

Click for further opportunities with Step Up or to register for the Step Up newsletter.

Please refer to the QUT media release.