Science
As we end Term 1, it is wonderful to reflect on, that despite COVID cases and isolations, we have managed to have an 11-week school term onsite! Learning Science is so much more engaging when able to do practical work. In addition, to be able to go on excursions and learn in a contextual setting is something we have really missed over the past couple of years.
As part of their study of 'Forces and Motion', the Unit 3 Physics class attended an excursion to Luna Park last month. Year 9 students attended a combined Science and Humanities excursion to CERES Community Park to complement their studies. Thank you to Lakmi, Bella and Jasmine for sharing their insights into these excursions below.
In addition, a number of our Year 10 students, currently studying Genetics, have been extremely fortunate to listen to a presentation by Beth Fennessy, one of our Learning Diversity Assistants, about her family’s personal journey with cystic fibrosis, through the life of her daughter, Abbie.
A reminder to any interested Science student from Years 7 to 10, that registrations for the annual Big Science Competition (to be held at school on Friday 6 May) are open until 27 April. Sample competition papers are found on student share. Registration can be completed here.
The Abbie Fennessy Trust
The Year 10 students are currently studying the fascinating topic of genetics. As part of this unit, students are researching a genetic disorder and are reflecting on some of the ethical impacts that come into play when someone in a family suffers from a genetic disorder.
We have been privileged to listen to and learn from one of our Learning Diversity Assistants, Beth Fennessy, about her family’s personal experience with this topic. Beth’s daughter, Abbie had cystic fibrosis and sadly passed away at the age of only 23.
The classes that have been fortunate to hear Beth’s talk have been given a rare insight into the complex issues and daily challenges faced by people with a genetic disease. We are very grateful to Beth for sharing Abbie’s story with us and will not forget it.
Beth, her daughter, Sarah; Graeme Clarke’s sister, Roz and niece, Clancy, together run the Abbie Fennessy Trust. So far this group have raised over $80,000. These funds have been donated to provide massages for sufferers of cystic fibrosis in-patients at the Monash Medical Centre.
For more information about the Abbie Fennessy Trust, or to make a donation, please see here.
Jacinta Devlin
Learning Leader:
Science
VCE Physics excursion to Luna Park
On 8 March, the Year 12 Physics class was given the privilege of enjoying a Luna Park excursion. As we waved goodbye to the envious faces of our friends outside of the Physics group (much to our expressed delight!), we made our way to Luna Park. Upon being swallowed up by the gaping mouth of the iconic Luna Park entrance; bright colours and the rattle of wheels on tracks exploded before us. The entrance wasn’t the only thing grinning anymore! It’s simply impossible to not see physics at every turn you take, and the question booklet in our hand solidified that. It was exciting to be able to apply what we had learnt in the classroom to our environment so practically.
Changes between gravitational potential energy, kinetic energy and friction were a real joy to take note of as we swung on the 'Twin Dragon'. The 'Dodgem Cars' were likely to be the most entertaining for me as we either glided across the floor, spun uncontrollably, or (purposely or accidentally) crashed into other drivers. Bella and I were determined to ram Mrs Devlin, which eventually we did!
As we analysed the correlation between spring potential energy and the compression of the rubber bumper, we were again thrilled to find just how relevant physics was to our lives. Perhaps the most memorable for me was 'The Enterprise' - a ride in which you spin in circles almost completely perpendicular to the ground. The sensation of spinning vertically, to feel the wind in your face as your surroundings spun around you was highly entertaining for me and I couldn’t stop smiling! Taking note of how I was accelerating towards the centre of the circle of the ride (centripetal acceleration), I was amazed by the engineering and calculations that must’ve been involved when designing the the ride!
Luna Park was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed, and I am so grateful to Mrs Devlin for providing this opportunity for us and to Ms. Downie for driving us to and from the venue and providing many laughs along the way!
Physics is all around us and Luna Park attributed this. This excursion inspired wonder in me about how significantly physics can influence and brighten the lives of others.
Lakmi Dabare
Year 12
On 8 March, the Year 12 Physics class enjoyed an excursion to Luna Park, where we got to witness classroom Physics in real-world application in wonderful feats of engineering. It was so exciting to apply the knowledge we’d learnt at the College on to the amusement park where so many families go to have a rewarding day of fun.
Using spring potential energy to calculate and answer questions regarding momentum and loss of energy was a true delight, as everyone enjoyed spinning uncontrollably and bumping into each other while in the 'Dodgem Cars'. The most enjoyable ride for me was the 'Supernova' – a ride where you are spun laterally around a pole in chairs high above the ground. I couldn’t stop smiling the entire time the ride was in action, even as I was enjoying the full effects of centripetal acceleration – the acceleration to the centre of a circle - in its practical environment.
While I did not get the opportunity to go on every ride, seeing physics in the real-world environment as we did in Luna Park was inspiring and eye-opening for me and so many of the other Physics girls who got to experience it. The feats of engineering which bring such joy and amazement from everyone who attends Luna Park is truly a masterful piece of physics and I enjoyed completing the calculations relevant to each ride in our trusty little physics handbook.
I am truly grateful for this wonderful excursion for us and to Ms Downie, our fun driver who we enjoyed having there as much as we enjoyed being there. This excursion is truly an inspiration for physics students and insightful into the correlation of classroom Physics and the real world.
Isabella Robson
Year 12
Year 9 Science/Humanities Excursion to CERES
On 16 March, Year 9 students visited the CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick. CERES is a centre which focuses on providing education on all things to do with nature, environment, environmental impact and climate change, whilst also providing tools to help increase sustainability.
We were split into groups and were involved in activities ranging from looking at composting, biodiversity, habitats and ecosystems, bush foods, urban farming, and the effect of human interactions with nature. The excursion to CERES provided important information and useful tools to do with learning about ecosystems and the environment.
Things we learnt included:
- what ecosystems require to become healthy and sustain this health and balance;
- the necessary elements of a healthy and balanced habitat and ecosystem;
- how we as humans impact the wellbeing of habitats and ecosystems;
- and finally the role of us as people in keeping our local environments healthy.
We learnt this information through a number of activities. One of my favourite activities was designing an ecosystem by choosing native trees and plants that would support itself. Another enjoyable activity was playing ecosystem 'Jenga'. We learnt that without some biotic and abiotic factors (just like when too many blocks are pulled out in Jenga) when too many aspects of an ecosystem are lost or damaged the ecosystem itself may collapse.
From all of this I can confidently say that I now have a more in-depth understanding of what biodiversity is and its importance, as well as the key features of a healthy ecosystem. I think we all furthered our understanding of the link between human habits and the impact they have on ecosystems. The excursion gave us a greater appreciation of the role that we can play in maintaining a more sustainable and healthier planet.
Jasmine Allen
Year 9