Snowy Mountains Grammar School has a long-standing commitment to providing meaningful, future-focused STEM learning from the earliest years of schooling. This year, our strong STEM offering has been further enriched thanks to the support of the Snowy Hydro Local School STEM Fund, which awarded SMGS a $10,000 grant to enhance Junior School learning experiences.
The grant enabled the purchase of 24 LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential kits for students in Years 1, 2 and 3. These kits expand the opportunities already available through our well-established STEM programs, allowing students to explore coding, engineering and design thinking in new and authentic ways.
In Year 1 classrooms, the SPIKE kits have ignited creativity and strengthened problem-solving as students designed and built models such as a Mars rover, Ferris wheel, treehouse camp and boat. One highlight was their redesign of a theme park entry gate as a Thredbo ski lift gate, complete with coded sensors programmed to recognise the correct coloured pass. This activity built on concepts students had already explored through our core STEM curriculum, adding fresh tools and depth to their understanding.
These enhanced experiences complement and strengthen our existing STEM pathway. The foundational problem-solving and coding skills developed in Junior School flow directly into the school’s robust robotics program in Years 5 to 8, where students take on increasingly sophisticated engineering and programming challenges.
Igniting Curiosity: STEM in Action
The LEGO SPIKE kits also enrich our flagship STEM in Action program, which engages Kindergarten to Year 6 students in hands-on, inquiry-based projects. Designed to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics to life, this program allows students to explore real-world challenges – from designing simple machines to investigating ecosystems.
STEM in Action has long been a cornerstone of Junior School learning at SMGS. It builds inquiry skills, strengthens critical thinking, encourages perseverance and, most importantly, sparks curiosity. The additional resources made possible through the Snowy Hydro Local School STEM Fund deepen these experiences, giving students new tools to extend their thinking and creativity.
About the Local School STEM Fund
Snowy Hydro is committed to supporting regional students by empowering educators to deliver hands-on, practical STEM experiences. Through the Snowy STEM Academy, Snowy Hydro partners with schools to help equip young people with the skills they need for the future.
The Local School STEM Fund provides up to $10,000 in funding for schools across the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Towong and Cessnock regions, enabling initiatives that make STEM learning engaging and accessible. By investing in real-world learning, the fund strengthens the connection between industry and education while helping to develop the problem solvers and innovators of tomorrow.
At SMGS, we pride ourselves on offering a rich, future-focused STEM program. The support from Snowy Hydro enhances this foundation, providing additional resources that inspire curiosity, creativity and confidence in every learner. We look forward to seeing how these new opportunities continue to empower our students as they grow through their STEM journey.