Does friction affect the speed of a ball? That was the question students had to answer when they attended La Salle Academy for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) event on Friday, April 5.
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The year five and six students from St Patrick's Primary School and St Joseph's Primary School came together and performed an open-ended investigation to determine the effect of frictional force on the speed of an object.
The students were asked to formulate an aim, a hypothesis and a safety assessment for the investigation, as well as consider the variables operating throughout the investigation.
"The day is going as well as expected, maybe even better because the children are very engaged and seem to be enjoying their time," organiser and La Salle science coordinator Jason MacKinnon said.
"We are looking at friction and how it affects the speed of a ball, and whether it slows it down, quickens it or has no affect."
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Mr MacKinnon's year 10 science class assisted in the running of the year five and six STEM day.
"My year 10 science class is assisting me and the students, they are doing a good job, it's a change for them to be doing something different," he said.
"It also helps them with their leadership skills."
Mr MacKinnon said he hoped the students could come away from the day feeling more confident in themselves.
"There are lots of things they can take away, the ability to work in teams, problem solving, improved maths skills..." he said.
Mr MacKinnon said La Salle would be hosting more STEM days throughout the year, including days for just year four and five students which they haven't done before.
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