Prior to exam week, the Grade 11 students were engaged in working on their STEM Chemistry projects. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) represents an interdisciplinary and applied approach to learning that integrates concepts and skills from these four core disciplines. STEM education emphasizes problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration to prepare students for future careers in fields such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
For their projects, the students were given the task to make a prototype/model of around $0 in cost while also having an aspect of environmental, business, health and safety and/or humanitarian goals.
Well done and thank you to the grade 11 students for their efforts, and showcasing their projects with a comprehensive understanding during Presentation Day. Many thanks also to the grade 8, 9 and 10 students as well as Mme Mimouni for attending the group presentations.
Lullabed - by Victoria, Claire and Xav
Summary by Victoria Wesierski
Our project is called the Lullabed. We really enjoyed working on it and trying to solve our problem. We thought of an idea to keep children safe from falling off their bed using airbags. We learned how to adapt chemical reactions and gas laws to solve the problem throughout doing this project. We used many reusable materials including, a cardboard box, fabric, balloons, zipper bags and our reactants, vinegar and baking soda to meet the project criteria with a cost of only $6.50. It was super cool to do and to find ways to use chemistry and airbags technology for a real life situation.
We also tested the efficiency of the bed in different temperatures to conclude that good heat insulation will also be required. If our idea would have a chance to be sponsored and become real, we would use pressure sensors and sound proofing to ensure silent popping and safe sleeping for a baby. We also referred to Child Restrain System (CRS) to propose safety sweaters as it was found by CRS researchers that infants are at a higher risk with the sudden acceleration or deceleration of an aircraft. We thought our idea must also be communicated with the health and safety departments of different airlines to propose a disposable safety sweater for babies, to ensure more safety for baby passengers during an aircraft's landing and take-off periods.
AquoFiltro by Ana, Osyka, Ashlyn and Satya
Summary by Ana Van den Heuvel
For our STEM project we decided to create a water filter that we have named AquoFiltro. Our prototype is designed to filter water and to ideally get rid of the bacteria in the water and have a neutral pH to make it drinkable. Our group was pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed applying our chemistry knowledge. There were a few problems that came up and it was a welcome challenge for our team. We found eliminating bacteria and reaching a neutral pH challenging especially finding the right materials that would help us reach these goals. The materials we used for this project are water bottles, silicone straws, rocks, cheese cloth, charcoal, sand, paper towel, cotton balls, and hot glue.
This project would not have been a success without our amazing team working together and especially to find the necessary materials. We tested our model to filter our school's pond water and there was a significant improvement in water quality after filtration with regard to the pH and Turbidity measurements. We also appreciated all the parents who (possibly unknowingly) donated the charcoal. We are encouraging many companies to sponsor our idea to treat the industrial wastewater. We referred to the municipal wastewater guidelines and protocols to treat wastewater from grease, chemicals, and many other preliminary contaminants before being discharged in the sewage system. All factories are supposed to have a buffering zone where we could fit our AquoFiltro with a more modified version supported with pumps, valves, pipes, and proper filtration materials for the contaminants present in that specific industrial wastewater.
Pond-Purifier by Emma and Sulaymaan
Summary by Emma Lapietra
Our prototype filters pond water very efficiently, leaving the water crystal clear and chemically changing the dirty water. This project gave us the opportunity to construct our ideas into solutions. It was challenging at times, but in the end the work paid off. Our materials are 100% homemade, so we enjoyed not having to spend money ($0 Cost). We learned that achieving clean water is often not as simple as it seems. Our water filter gave us the chance to experiment with our materials and our ideas, resulting in an innovation of its own. Our water filter includes sand, paper towels, coffee filters, pebbles, a sponge, and charcoal (all in a plastic bottle).
Although we faced many difficulties, we appreciated the STEM projects. The ideas formulated for our prototype are only a small reflection of what science is able to do for the world with opportunities to access such education and sponsorship for materials. Because our design is unique, compact, and works effectively, we would like to take the chance and support all campers with our idea. If our project will be sponsored, we will design a safe drinking water portable kit for campers with the required materials to assemble a mini filter. One of the camping tips is to select an area with water access, and with this kit, campers will have a safety plan for clean drinking water when they need it without needing to carry water in their backpacks. Thank you Sulaymaan for buying the bottles, Xav for driving him, and Ms. Amry for answering all our questions very patiently.
ClearStream Water Filter by Carlyle and Logan
Our filter model wasn't very different than the others with respect to material, design and cost, but we have a different goal. We would like to take this opportunity and work with humanitarian organizations to support children and people of Africa. If our design will be sponsored we will go to African countries like Chad or Ethiopia and teach children how to make such water filter design with zero cost and get better quality drinking water.
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