Smart Greenhouse

Year 5
Stem Unit Preview

Problem / Challenge

How can we grow food all year around in Tasmania without using more energy than transporting it?

Brief

In different engineering teams, each team is addressing the problem from a particular perspective.

  • Software/electronic engineering are responsible for sensors: – watering systems, temperature controls, nutrient levels.
  • Environmental engineering for soil, planting: choice, numbers, density, companion and pest control.
  • Civil engineering for design, scale drawings, costing and construction.

Then, as a whole group they come up with the ‘perfect greenhouse’ by putting all the ideas together.

Resources

Australian Curriculum Links

Science

Science Understanding

  • Living things and their adaptations to their environment (ACSSU043)

Science as a Human Endeavour

  • Science explains historical phenomenon and cultural contributions (ACSHE081)
  • Science is used to solve problems and inform personal and community decisions (ACSHE083)

Science Inquiry Skills

  • Questions and predictions (ACSIS231)
  • Plan an investigation (ACSIS086)
  • Variables, fair tests, measuring and recording  data (ACSIS087)
  • Data representation (ACSIS090)
  • Comparing data with predictions (ACSIS218)
  • Reflecting on the investigation (ACSIS091)
  • Communicate scientific ideas and information (ACSIS093)

Design and Technologies

Technologies and society

  • Design and technologies occupations and sustainability considerations (ACTDEK019)

Engineering principles and systems

  • Electrical energy in controlling, movement, light and sound (ACTDEK020)

Materials and technologies specialisations

  • Characteristics and properties of materials, systems, components, tools and equipment (ACTDEK023)

Design Process

Digital Technologies

  • Digital systems and transmission of data (ACTDIK014)
  • Define problems in terms of data and functional requirements (ACTDIP017)
  • Design and modify algorithms and programs (ACTDIP019)
  • Implement digital solutions as simple visual programs involving iteration (ACTDIP020)

Mathematics

Number and Algebra

  • Solve problems involving purchases (ACMNA080)
  • Problem solving (ACMNA291)
  • Financial plans (ACMNA106)

Measurement and Geometry

  • Units of measurement (ACMMG108)
  • Perimeter and area of rectangles (ACMMG109)
  • 3D objects (ACMMG111)
  • Enlargement of 2D shapes (ACMMG115)
  • Estimating and measuring angles (ACMMG112)

Statistics and Probability

School Overview

South Hobart Primary School is located in South Hobart, Tasmania and caters for students in years K – 6 from the surrounding community. South Hobart Primary School currently has 378 students.