Maniacs - Learn through Play

29/11/2024

Here is a photo of Drago (Western Bearded dragon) for those that asked tonsee an update.

26/11/2024

I still have a few spots available for this STEAM series but they are filling fast.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AfuvExYdk/

Hands-on STEAM fun! Students explore science concepts with creative challenges, from foosball tables to DNA extraction.

19/11/2024

We are going to run another round on Mon 25 Nov!

SPECIAL EVENT (for kids 8+): Beachcombing + Helping Habitats
Join us to explore what the tide brought in and collect seagrass fruit to help with restoring local seagrass meadows.

Link to rego form: https://forms.office.com/r/EAPe8j6w3q
🐙🐡🐠🦑🐬🦭

19/11/2024

Today we tested a few.different techniques to clean up an environmental oil spill and played with oil and water and learned about the unique characteristics of soap.

12/11/2024

This weeks Maniac lesson is all about "Why do sharks float?" Today we explored density and learned that sharks stay buoyant due to their fatty livers. To test this, students created "fish" using water balloons filled with materials of different densities. We made air fish, freshwater fish, saltwater fish, oily fish, and some kids experimented with mixed concentrations to see if their fish would sink, float, or bob in the middle of a freshwater bottle. Afterward, we drew conclusions about the density of each type of fish compared to water.

06/11/2024

So excited about our new Thursday class location for Term 1 2025!

I have managed to secure Mt Hawthorn Lesser Hall that is Nestled in Braithwaite Park a lovely fenced park with nature playspace. A perfect spot to play and socialise before or after class!!!!


https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/term-1-2025-steamfusion-tickets-1070527690139

06/11/2024

It started out as a really cold windy day but turned into the best day! What a great time we had ans I am so proud of these kids! They worked together to protect their village against the tsunamis and evolved their simple fishing village into a fish farming holiday resort with ponds and diving boards and fishes!

05/11/2024

It’s not “impossible” for a tsunami to impact WA! 🌊

Today is World Tsunami Awareness Day and next month marks the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami that swept across south and southeast Asia, which caused severe destruction and claimed around 230,000 lives. The tragedy inspired the movie The Impossible and serves as a powerful reminder of a tsunami’s sheer force. Offshore, tsunamis can move at over 800 km/h and reach heights of up to 30m, while even small waves of just 50cm can cause major damage upon reaching land.

WA’s stunning coastline isn’t immune to tsunamis, so we work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia, who operate the Joint Australian Tsunami Warning Centre (JATWC) — one of the world’s most advanced tsunami warning systems. Through the JATWC, we have 24/7 monitoring and early warning services to give us as much notice as possible for any tsunami activity affecting our coastline.

Though rare for WA, tsunamis triggered by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or landslides can still reach us.

05/11/2024

So much fun testing our tsunami safe houses today!

05/11/2024

Event sold out!

SPECIAL TWEEN/TEEN EVENT: Beachcombing + Helping Habitats

Join us to explore what the tide brought in and collect seagrass fruit to help with restoring local seagrass meadows.

Link to rego form: https://forms.office.com/r/Vde1kjYw7c

🐙🐡🐠🦑🐬🦭

03/11/2024

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/term-1-2025-steamfusion-tickets-1070527690139

Tickets on sale now.

Hands-on STEAM fun! Students explore science concepts with creative challenges, from foosball tables to DNA extraction.

01/11/2024

ScienceFUSION
Tickets available
here

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1070527690139?aff=oddtdtcreator

Age recommended (but not limited) 8-14 years old. Younger students are welcome to attend with an adult/older sibling to assist.

Please join the "Maniacs term 1 2025- STEAMfusion" facebook group after the ticket purchase

Tuesdays: Baldivis South Community Centre13 Lamorak Way, Baldivis WA 6171
10 to 11 or 11.30 to 12.30
February- 11, 18, 25
March-4,11,18,25
April-1

Wednesdays: Walliston Scouts Hall ( Lesmurdie)
Corner of Grove Road and Clianthus road, Walliston
9:30-10.30 or 11 to 12
February- 12, 19, 26
March-5,12,19,26
April-2

Thursdays : Mt Hawthorn lesser hall (Braithwaite Park)
197 Scarborough Beach Road, Mt Hawthorn WA 6016
10 to 11 or 11.30 to 12.30
The dates for term 1: Thursdays 10-12:30
February- 13,20,27
March- 6,13,20,27
April-3

Here are descriptions for each of the STEAMfusion workshops:
1. Foosball Building
In this workshop, students will design and construct their own foosball tables using everyday materials like cardboard boxes, plastic cups, and wooden dowels. They’ll explore the principles of mechanics and engineering as they create a functional game. Once built, students will test their tables, discussing the physics of movement and forces while enjoying friendly competition!
2. Egg Drop Challenge
Students will put their engineering skills to the test in the Egg Drop Challenge. Working in teams, they’ll design protective contraptions to keep an egg safe during a high drop. Using materials like straws, balloons, and tape, students will experiment with design concepts and test their creations, learning about gravity, impact forces, and the engineering design process.
3. Build a Boat - Test Ways to Propel It Forward
In this hands-on workshop, students will design and build model boats using materials like foam, plastic, and recycled items. They’ll test different propulsion methods, such as paddles, sails, or rubber bands, to see which designs work best. Students will learn about buoyancy, water resistance, and the principles of propulsion while competing in fun races.
4. Skyscraper vs. Fan Challenge
In the Skyscraper vs. Fan Challenge, students will design and try to build the tallest freestanding skyscraper using only limited materials like straws, tape, and cardboard. The twist? The tower must withstand the wind generated by a fan for a set amount of time. This workshop emphasizes engineering design, stability, and the effects of environmental forces.
5. Pi Day Challenge
Celebrate Pi Day with a of fun-filled exploration of circles in art and science! Kandinsky’s Trees: Discover the work of famous artist Wassily Kandinsky and his vibrant use of circles. Engage with Newton’s discovery of the visible spectrum by creating a spinning colour wheel Learn about the intriguing Fibonacci sequence and its appearance in nature and art and Delve into the ancient world of mathematics with a hands-on project inspired by Archimedes.
6. Wild Weather Shelter Challenge
In the Wild Weather Shelter Challenge, students will design and construct a shelter for a toy that can withstand various weather conditions, such as rain, wind, or snow. Using materials like plastic, cardboard, and tape, they’ll test their designs under simulated weather conditions, learning about engineering, materials science, and the importance of planning for environmental challenges.
7. Make and Test Kinetic Sand Recipes
Students will explore the science of materials by creating their own kinetic sand using different recipes. They’ll experiment with ratios of sand, cornstarch, and water to find the perfect blend for texture and playability. This workshop will encourage creativity and scientific inquiry as students test their creations and discuss the properties of non-Newtonian fluids.
8. DNA Extraction
In this fascinating workshop, students will extract DNA from common fruits like strawberries or bananas using simple household materials. They’ll learn about the structure of DNA and its importance in genetics while following a hands-on procedure to see the DNA with their own eyes. This activity will introduce them to fundamental concepts in biology and the significance of DNA in living organism.

Hands-on STEAM fun! Students explore science concepts with creative challenges, from foosball tables to DNA extraction.

01/11/2024

Tickets for term 1 (play-based series) 2025 will be going on sale next week. I will post the details a little bit later today.

Recognizing the increasing financial challenges many families face and the abundance of available educational options, I aim to provide transparency and assistance to parents in planning and budgeting for their children's educational needs. Our Maniacs 3-year curriculum is thoughtfully structured to offer students a comprehensive exploration of diverse scientific disciplines while fostering interdisciplinary learning.

Here's a brief overview of our curriculum to help parents make informed decisions:

Term 1: Broad STEAM Exposure
General STEAM series, including chemistry, physics, environmental science, and engineering challenges.

Term 2: Specialized Technology and Innovation
A specialist series that zooms in on technology and innovation.

Term 3: Makerspace
Makerspace series, providing project-based learning, electronics exploration, and innovation.

Term 4: Environmental STEAM
a strong emphasis on outdoor activities whenever possible.

By providing this roadmap, I hope to empower parents to budget effectively and make informed choices about which workshops would be most beneficial for their children.

24/10/2024

I'm embarking on a new mission for Maniacs, creating a series for slightly older students (years 5, 6, and up) focused on project-based learning.

Unlike my play-based series, that have nonreading and writing, this one will target building STEM literacy—teaching students how to conduct research, plan studies, execute them, and report findings in a scientific way.

The topics will include real life problems in the field of environmental science, mechanical engineering, bioengineering(anatomy and physiology) chemistry etc . I'm planning to run this as an after-school program so that main stream students, including my twins, can attend.

Each term will have 2 topics. We will follow a 3 or 4 week plan per topic following the plan (research and learn about our topic and plan a study or project) do ( execute study or project) and review (present finding as either a presentation, report or scientific poster) cycle.

To make this happen, I’m in need of laptops and was wondering if any of my community have any contacts with companies that could donate or sell their old laptops for us to use?

23/10/2024

20/10/2024

It is beautiful here in Coffs Harbour and I feel very spoiled with this room amd this view!

17/10/2024

What a gorgeous day doing what I love!