Toowoomba Lutheran school takes tech to the sky for learning

Students at a Toowoomba school are getting hands-on with some hi-tech equipment, and learning about its real world applications.

Concordia student Anjali Owens testing out the drones. Picture: Nev Madsen

Concordia Lutheran College students had the chance to get hands on with drone technology yesterday, as part of a workshop facilitated by IntergratedSTEM.

Year 5 and 6 students each got the chance to fly one of the mini machines, before learning about its real-world application in the agricultural industry.

“Every session we design, it’s as hands on as possible with links to future careers they could go into,” IntegratedSTEM director Fraser Border said.

“I think the hands on program helps to engage and then I try to tie it into the theory - so if you want to do this stuff, which you’re all loving, you need to be an engineer and this is the knowledge you need.

“Schools teach the fundamentals of maths, science, technology and engineering - I like to give them an engineering problem and let them solve it using STEM as a tool.”

Concordia Lutheran College year 5 teacher Stacey Warrener said the students had enjoyed drawing on their STEM knowledge during the program.

“I think in our community it’s good because we’re quite an agricultural city and sometimes the students can’t see past what they’re doing in the classroom and how that might relate to the real world,” Ms Warreber said.

“The kids absolutely love it - any time they can start to use what they know in a hands on environment it just consolidates what they have learnt but also allows them to see purpose in their learning.”

Mr Border said the workshop program was funded by a Queensland Engaging Science grant, which was one of 10 handed out across the state.

IntergratedSTEM is hosting the program for free at primary schools across the city.

For more information on the program or to apply please visit www.integratedstem.com.au or email [e-mail].