Holidays spent in classroom
USQ offers kids’ science program
IT MAY be school holidays but eight-year-old Lua Malesi is enjoying spending it in the classroom this week.
Lua took part in a holiday enrichment program, organised by the University of Southern Queensland and Fizzics Education, providing engaging science activities to primary school children.
Making gooey slime, blowing giant bubbles and popping liquid-filled balloons were just some of the hands-on activities aimed at challenging the students and extending their learning, all while having a lot of fun.
“I love science, and I also love art, music and technology,” Lua said.
“Today I have learnt that if you add heat to a balloon filled with water the pressure changes and it can pop.”
More than 30 students took part in the two science workshops for students in Prep to Year 7.
USQ lecturer Mark Oliver from the School of Linguistics, Adult and Specialist Education said the workshops were about engaging students with the wonderful world of sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics.
“USQ is focused on making education accessible and many of the students here today are from regional and rural areas,” Mr Oliver said.
“These workshops are about showing kids early that science is fun. It is not just something from a textbook or to be fitted in with exams – it is hands-on and the children have absolutely loved it.”