Welcome back to the STEM blog.

Our second block of work has begun and today we evaluated what we have done and what we want to do in the future.

Firstly, I spoke to the Engineering group. Francois said they had progressed well and learned to use Rovipro, before programming it to perform simple tasks, e.g. going forwards, backwards and turning. At the start there were a few system errors when programming from Rovipro. However, the group managed to overcome these errors and went on to complete the simple tasks mentioned earlier.

The group then looked at advanced tasks, such as using sensors to sense obstructions and turn away from them. This was a bit more difficult. Sometimes the coding order would be wrong or it would go in endless circles. The sensors failed and it wouldn’t “see” the wall that it was to avoid. They also cut up bits of paper to represent blocks of code to help them visualise the process.

The goals for the engineering team for the future is to learn a new type of programming, C, make general repairs and improve the design and to collaborate with the Energy group to power it. Also, because its function is to obtain rock samples, they should attach a mechanism or pipe to suck up rocks.

To help with this, the Energy group will test the solar panels and Robbie and Jordan will perform an experiment to see how long the solar batteries will last. This group, over the first STEM block, have looked at various energy sources and decided which one will be the best on Mars.

Next week, all the groups will be looking at the actual Mars Rover. The Energy group will look at its powering and the Engineering group the overall design of the vehicle. Check back to see how we get on!

On Friday 9th June our super six STEM team members represented our project at the annual Science and Engineering celebration at the Glasgow Science Centre.

Annie, Bilal, Francois, Dougie, Robbie and Euan all worked very hard in preparing an excellent presentation to showcase our project. The judges highly commended the group on their professionalism and enthusiasm. Many other visitors commented on how impressed they were with our project and on how original it was.

The super six really enjoyed their day of STEM challenges and science shows and are looking forward to returning next year with an even bigger and better showcase.

For a gallery of photographs from the event, click the picture of our presentation below.

It has been a year full of hard work from all STEM members and it is now time for a deserved break! The STEM project will return in early September…..so watch this space!

To great excitement, Miss Mortimer announced the lucky 6 who are to attend the Science Centre. Bilal Ahmed and Robbie Hussain will represent the Energy group, Francois Husson and Dougie Whittington will represent the engineering group, Annie Legg will represent the P7 group and Euan Hussain will go as the group’s communications leader (it is Euan who composes the original version of all blog entries!).

This week we also got a summary of STEM so far from each group:

“Over the past few weeks, we have been planning what the P7 will be doing. We have decided we will be doing a selection of different things for the P7s when they come up” – Amy Walker, Captain of the P7 group. 

“Throughout STEM we have looked at various different types of energy. We are mainly looking at Solar Energy” – Robbie Hussain, Co-ordinator of the Energy Group.

“Over the entire term we have programmed a robot, built robots and considered programming” – Steven Clark, Engineering Group Leader.

Unfortunately, Miss Mortimer was busy on Duke of Edinburgh business so the results for who is going on the Science Centre trip have been delayed until our next session!

In the club this week, the energy group used their soldering skills to create a charging station to charge some batteries powered by solar cells. The soldering iron was used to melt some tin, which is then put onto the wires. When it solidifies it keeps the wires locked in place.

Check back next week for a larger update!

The first half of this week’s session was taken up by speeches. We require two members of the Energy group, two members of the Engineering group and one member of the P7 group to be nominated for the trip to the Glasgow Science Centre.

Plenty of pupils are keen to go and Robbie Hussain, Bilal Ahmed and Euan Moffat made their speeches on behalf of the Energy group, whilst Francis Husson, David Christie and Dougie Whittington wished to represent the Engineering group. The P7 group will be represented by either Annie Legg or Leigh Lawson. Results will be posted on this blog next week – so make sure you check back then!

The rest of this week’s session was taken up with further practical work. The P7 group are writing a letter to the P7 classes of Williamwood’s associated primaries; Busby, Carolside and Netherlee. They are also designing a poster to advertise the club.

The Engineering group split into two sub-teams. One of the teams is looking to make the Mars Rover spin in a spiral.

Finally, the Energy group continued to use the soldering techniques they learnt last week to make solar cells.

This is the last week of STEM before the holidays. All the groups are mainly continuing with last weeks instructions.

The Energy group have constructed a crank with K’nex. They plugged in a solar cell into a battery in the K’nex model and they put a lamp over the cell. The crank started spinning and the little man model started turning the crank. However, Robbie pointed out that the dust storms on Mars meant that it would be impractical to use solar energy, because the storms would blot out what little sun the planet’s surface receives. They also made a buggy that moves with solar power, using a solar panel and a lamp.

The engineering group is still trying to program the robot which means the robot can rebound off walls if the ground is flat and not sloping. The right wheel is dragging and the robot seems to move slightly to the right. The stabilizers have fallen off and there is a communication problem. However, it is not all doom and gloom! The group have managed to increase the size and range of its sensors so that it can detect things easily.

Finally, the P7 Team continues to make up maths relay questions, while another branch of the team is planning out what equipment will be required for every activity.

More news will follow after the holidays – Happy Easter everyone!

Week 4 has been a quiet one.

We have constructed the profile for the newly formed P7 Team, which can be seen below:

P7 Team

Team Leader: Amy Walker

Co-ordinator: Annie Legg

Team Members: Leigh Lawson

This week the Engineering group started to program the robot Ken built. Their ultimate aim is to steer the robot around the classroom to find a pin. Currently, they are trying to program the robot to rebound off an object it may crash into. The Energy Group researched which energy would be best for powering an AAA battery; they were looking at solar energy. The P7 Team started writing questions for the maths relay they have created.

We also interviewed Miss Mortimer to look at how the project is progressing:

 What is the ultimate aim of the STEM club?

“The ultimate aim of the STEM club is to encourage and enthuse as many people as possible in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.”

How do you think each group is doing?

“They are doing very well; there is strong leadership and very good team players.”

What equipment have we got?

“Loads! We have been really lucky to get a grant of nearly £2000 pounds from the Royal Society. Lots of kit for testing renewable energies and all the equipment needed to build a scratch built rover.”

What will happen to STEM when we have built the Rover?

“Hopefully we will use our skills and equipment to start the project with a new group of S1s.”

When do you reckon our Rover will be finished?

“The rover might be finished by the summer term.” 

More to come soon!

The Energy Group has split into three sub-groups, each looking at different types of energy. Robbie and Bilal are investigating wind energy, and wind as a direct means of propulsion, whilst considering how windy it is on Mars. They are also testing the fuelling of a cell with hydro energy, generated by a turbine made by the mentors last week.

Jenny and Julia are comparing solar energy to hydro energy. However, due to a slight hitch (one of the renewable energy car’s wheels fell off), they were obliged to create something new. Instead, they began constructing a water turbine with one of the science kits. Justin, Alex and Euan are researching and studying the modern applications of solar energy.

The Engineering Group is studying codes and programming. They have put together cards with commands on them, like a jigsaw, to visualise what the final code might look like. They are also thinking about what commands might be needed for the robot.

The newest team (the P7 team) has begun planning out possible lessons for the P7 workshops, which will take place in September and October. The idea is that there will be four stations, one each for Maths, Science, Technology and Engineering. Next week, the group will concentrate on one of these and will plan resources and pupil instructions.