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Core Scientific Skills
The Bee’s Knees Challenge: Building Buzzing Gardens invites teams of up to 4 students to explore the fascinating world of bees and their habitats, in alignment with the Australian Curriculum’s focus on scientific understanding and inquiry. Just in time for spring, students will investigate the types of plants that attract bees, document their findings, and create a 3 to 5 minute video that showcases their creative garden designs and research. This challenge promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and the application of scientific concepts in real-world scenarios.
Curiosity and Exploration
Igniting Questions: Students kick off the challenge by delving into the fascinating world of bees and their interactions with different plants. They ask thought-provoking questions about why certain plants attract bees, fostering curiosity and laying the foundation for scientific investigation. This aligns with the Science Inquiry Skills strand, encouraging students to pose questions and predict outcomes based on their observations.
Forming Hypotheses
Developing Scientific Ideas: After conducting initial research, students formulate hypotheses regarding which plants and colors are most effective in attracting bees. These hypotheses guide their experimental design, which is closely tied to the Science Understanding strand, particularly in biological sciences where students learn about ecosystems, including the role of bees in pollination.
Hands-on Scientific Inquiry
Experimental Design and Investigation: Students design and build their gardens using a variety of materials, testing their hypotheses in a practical, hands-on way. They document their process and present their findings in a video, reinforcing skills in Science Inquiry and Science as a Human Endeavour. This hands-on approach helps students develop an understanding of the scientific process, from hypothesis development to data collection and analysis.
Sustainability and Environmental Awareness
Promoting Environmental Science: The challenge highlights the importance of biodiversity and the role of bees in maintaining healthy ecosystems, which aligns with the Science Understanding strand. It also ties into sustainability education by teaching students the significance of supporting pollinators through thoughtful garden design, helping them make connections between their actions and environmental outcomes.
Do you have a question?
If you have any questions or need further information about the Challenge, feel free to reach out to the STEM Hub team. We’re here to help!
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