Community and learning also happen outside the classroom at Mueller. You are probably aware of the incredible sport and music opportunities for students before and after school, but there are a couple of other groups this term that have also been busy having fun, while they develop new skills.
This term we have had two teams of students working on an Opti-MINDS Creative Sustainability Challenge. Opti-MINDS ‘is an inclusive team challenge which EMPOWERS participants to THINK, CREATE & COMMUNICATE.’ In 2020, our Opti-MINDS team came 1st in North Brisbane for Science Engineering Division I. For the 2020 state championships, we received an award for the ‘spirit of Opti-MINDS’.
Our teams this year consisted of students from Years 3-6 and they have been working hard during the school day and after school. Their 2021 Science Engineering challenge was to create a device for a ‘Festival of Belonging’ that combines a number of different techniques to function – so that it can perform in an exciting celebration of belonging. To create their device students have used; technology and coding skills, a range of material resources like cardboard and rubber bands, and have been creative with paint and printing.
Teams also completed a spontaneous challenge where they had 6 minutes for the team to discuss, plan and present a response to a stimulus. Students have been challenged to use their strengths, learn new skills and work as a team to creatively problem-solve an open-ended task. A big thanks to Mrs Fernando and Mrs Heath who support our Opti-MINDS team.
A new after-school group that started in Term 3 is Mueller Creates – Lego. Students meet weekly after school with Mr Johnson, to take on a new lego building challenge. They will get to keep their final lego build. Students from Year 1-4 have loved building, making new friends and learning from each other. This activity was very popular, so look out for it again next year and be sure to get in quick to participate.
We are blessed with many amazing teachers who give up their time to share their interests and gifts with our students and provide opportunities to develop new skills. It is wonderful to see students growing and thriving in a broad range of areas to develop the gifts and passions God has given them.
