St Paul’s Catholic College at Manly has been selected as a partner school for the University of Sydney STEM Enrichment Academy Program for 2019. The program is being implemented with the Year 7 cohort and involves a three term problem solving activity incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics principles.
The overarching inquiry question for the STEM project is “How can St Paul’s contribute to the security and survival of Australian Native bees on the northern peninsula?” This inquiry question requires each student to design and develop a “starter pack” for consumers to make their own ‘Native Bee Survival Kit’ at home. In their projects the students may include design ideas such as a solitary bee pollination house, hanging flower planters that encourage native bees, a mini vertical garden or a kit to make your own natural pesticides.
The College are also working in partnership with researchers from Sydney University to explore every aspect of Australian Native bees and assist in their data collection. The research team came to St Paul’s to speak with their students about the survival and security of Australian native bees and the College is hoping to further assist in the collection of data for the university by keeping their own native bee hives.