今日吃瓜

The BiG Day In IT events are aimed at Senior Secondary School and University students interested in careers in ICT and technology, helping students obtain more information about ICT and technology careers, and hopefully helping them make a better-informed decision about their future. The聽events are held on University campuses around Australia (where possible) to give students an insight into what 鈥渦niversity life鈥� might look like.

On Tuesday 7 May, 35 今日吃瓜 students listened to 7-8 presentations throughout the day from organisations / speakers talking about subjects including career paths, career opportunities, the latest developments, the future of technology and much more. Presenters include Wisetech Global Ltd, Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Westpac, Google, NAB, CSIRO, Technology One, ANZ Bank, Department of Human Services, CBA, Animal Logic, Apple and a host of SME organisations to name just a few.

In the morning tea and lunch breaks, our students visited the exhibitor stands to speak to exhibiting organisations, Universities and Colleges to learn about tertiary courses and degrees, work experience, internships, apprenticeships and to see demonstrations of some awesome technology in action!

David Nelson, Learning Area Coordinator Technology

A fantastic group of very keen Year 12 ATAR Earth and Environmental Scientists (EES) headed East looking for gold during their recent excursion to Kalgoorlie and the “Golden Mile鈥�. The students enjoyed a tour of the Super-pit, saw first-hand the process of exploration, mining, and mine management at active mining operations. Additionally, there was an inspection of the Core Library at the WA Geological Survey, mine site rehabilitation, the School of Mines Minerals Museum, gold panning (with mixed success), and geological mapping exercises at important rock outcrops in the WA goldfields. The trip was a highlight of Year 12 EES and an invaluable experience for all of the students. Many of the students will probably now be considering careers in the Mining Industry, judging by how much they enjoyed the whole experience!

Andrew Shuckstes, Earth and Environmental Science Teacher

During the final weeks of Term 1, the Humanities Department allied with an external organisation, Solarbuddy, to provide an authentic learning opportunity aligned to the Year 7 Livability Unit in Geography. Solarbuddy is an Australian 鈥榥ot for profit鈥� organisation that works with developing nations around the World. With the assistance of schools, Solarbuddy provides solar lights to impoverished communities so that students can study at night. Energy Poverty is a large issue around the world affecting over a billion people. In these communities people often use kerosene lamps which are both hazardous to their health and often result in fires destroying people鈥檚 homes. Something as simple as a solar light gives people in these communities the opportunity to access studying at night so that they can improve their education and ultimately gain skills that may get them better employment.

As part of a combined STEM and Humanities initiative, the College has incorporated working with Solarbuddy into the curriculum. After obtaining the lights, the students studied the use of solar lighting to improve Livability in these communities, particularly focusing on Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Tanzania. Once the lights were assembled, the Year 7’s wrote messages to students in these communities to share their enthusiasm for solar lighting with them. The unit was completed with a simulation lesson that gave students a small taste of what it is like to live without light whilst trying to study. The lights and messages will be returned to Solarbuddy in the coming weeks so that they can be sent out to these communities. It should be said that some of the interest, effort and work produced around this unit has truly been remarkable and the students should be commended for their efforts and passion to make a difference.

Patrick Woolley, Leader of Wellbeing Year 7