How can we help the penguins to safely cross the road?

Year 4
Stem Unit Preview

Problem / Challenge

Little penguins (or Fairy penguins) are being killed or injured on our roads trying to get to their burrows.

Brief

Design and model a way for penguins to safely cross the road.

Resources

Australian Curriculum Links

Science

Science Understanding

Science as a Human Endeavour

  • Science helps people understand the effect of their actions (ACSHE051)

Science Inquiry Skills

  • Questions and predictions (ACSIS053)
  • Plan an investigation (ACSIS054)
  • Elements of fair tests, measuring and recording data (ACSIS055)
  • Data representation (ACSIS057)
  • Comparing data with predictions (ACSIS215)
  • Reflecting on the investigation (ACSIS058)
  • Communicate scientific ideas and information (ACSIS060)

Design and Technologies

Engineering principles and systems

  • Force and properties of materials (ACTDEK011)

Materials and technologies specialisations

  • Suitability of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment (ACTDEK013)

Design Process

Digital Technologies

  • Digital systems with peripheral devices (ACTDIK007)
  • Collect and access data using simple software (ACTDIP009)
  • Define simple problems, and describe and follow algorithms (ACTDIP010)

Mathematics

Number and Algebra

  • Investigate number sequences (ACMNA074)
  • Develop mental and written strategies and use digital technologies for multiplication and division (ACMNA076)
  • Explore and describe number patterns (ACMNA081)

Measurement and Geometry

  • Use scaled instruments to measure (ACMMG084)
  • Compare areas of regular and irregular shapes (ACMMG087)
  • Compare and describe 2D shapes (ACMMG088)
  • Compare angles (ACMMG089)

School Overview

Blackmans Bay Primary School is government school located in Blackmans Bay, a beachside suburb of Hobart, Tasmania. It has an enrolment of around 290 students.