STEM Research Project
We are pleased to say that our year 10 STEM research project is well underway!
Mercy O, Cameron S, Mia S, Beau T and Meckenzie W in year 10 are our Villiers Park Future Leaders this year. They are working towards an IRIS (Institute of Research In Schools) project called ‘Treezilla’. This project will enable the students to meet the criteria needed to complete a Leadership Challenge, as well as being able to achieve an IRIS and CREST Award.
The Treezilla project involves students collecting data about trees in the local area to see how much individual trees help reduce the carbon footprint of the local community, by calculating the eco-services of the tree they are studying.
We took a cold and crisp walk across to Lydiard Park this afternoon to gather data from a chosen tree to help us with our research. The year 10 team did a great job of working together to take measurements of the tree including the circumference of the trunk and the tree height, all using mathematic calculations and a 30cm ruler! In addition to this, the students took photos of the trunk, leaves, twigs and buds to enable them to use an identification key to classify their tree as a willow species. The team learnt many new skills today and worked really efficiently!
Once back in the classroom, Mercy, Cameron, Mia, Beau and Meckenzie uploaded their data onto the Treezilla App to secure the tree its very own spot on the map as a recorded species in the local area! A first for Lydiard Park trees!
Over the next few months the year 10 STEM team will analyse the data they have collected and will eventually create a presentation to show IRIS, which will lead them to achieve their awards.
Well done to our year 10 STEM team and thank you to Marissa from Villiers Park for coming out with us today.
Mrs Walter
