Learning STEM through Play at St John’s Primary School, Mullumbimby

St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby, Kindergarten students designed and made machines to save stranded whales with parents and collaborate with the staff of Sea World. (28 May 2021)

The Kindergarten students of St John's Primary School, Mullumbimby, were given a wonderful opportunity to solve a "real" problem for Sea World Marine Park, Gold Coast, to rescue stranded whales using machines they developed.

The students have been immersed in a Conceptual Playworld, a model of intentional teaching developed by Monash University. Teachers create an imaginary scenario where students are invited to go on imaginary journeys, meet and solve challenges, and learn STEM concepts – all whilst playing.

Using the story The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson as a guide, the students took on the roles of various characters to explore the types of forces needed to move a stranded whale, such as; veterinarians, mathematicians, engineers and construction workers. The teaching staff also took on roles and joined in the play scenario.

Through outdoor play, the students tested the types of forces needed to move heavy objects, developed their designs, tested and changed their plans to build a prototype to save the whale and move it from the beach and back into the ocean. 

'I loved extending our learning space to the outdoors and having access to natural materials for STEM investigations. Using quality literature as a stimulus for a STEM inquiry was another positive of the project, and it allowed me to integrate learning across multiple KLA's,' said Kindergarten teacher Ellie Bailey.

'It was great to work alongside Monash University and collaborate with other schools in the Diocese. The students were highly engaged and really loved taking on their roles to solve real issues and collaborate with their peers as they were problem-solving,' stated Naomi O'Dwyer, Leader of Pedagogy. 

Feedback from parents was that they loved the opportunity to come into school and see the designs and prototypes the children had constructed. 

Comments from students were:

'I loved entering the play world through the magic rainbow tunnel.'

'I loved being able to save the whales.'

'I loved playing outside and building things in the bushes.'

'We loved using force to lift the whale off the beach with ropes.'

The staff from Seaworld were very impressed with the creative problem solving displayed by the Kinder students.