Curriculum News
STEM Excursion
On the 20th February, the year 10 science students went to Quantum to enhance their understanding of materials of the future. Students discovered the world of Nanotechnology, Nanomaterials and their use in commercial and biomedical applications. They unlocked the properties of shape-Memory Alloys; metals that can be pre-programmed to return to a specific shape when they reach their activation temperature. Students investigated the properties of Nanomaterials and Nanofluids and engaged in multiple experiments and demonstrations using the Shape Memory Alloy Nitinol.
Students who attended the excursion were really amazed with the different types of materials there are available to researcher.
Year 11 Biology students had an opportunity to expand their understanding of cells by working with scientists at the forefront of research in Victoria today. They used advanced light microscopes and a variety of state of the art equipment used in the modern lab.
On the 22nd February, the year 11 Biology class ventured into the city to experience GTAC(Gene Technology Access Centre) and University life. After a long trip on the train, we arrived at approximately 10am and had the introductory session for an hour, mostly about cells and their organelles. We had a look at a case study of different patients with diagnosed diseases and how we link cells and organelles to disease. For a short break we went to the Cafeteria then headed back to begin our first practical session, looking at cells under an advanced light microscope. We looked at bacteria (Bacillus cereus), a plant cell called the Aeonium lyrdons and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). They were stained with fluorescent stain colours and they looked really pretty. We went to Melbourne University for lunch and experienced the overwhelming blast of a university setting. We felt so young compared to what we were used to coming from and from those around us. Coming back to GTAC after lunch, we had a look at paramecium eating yeast cells. We finished off with a survey and headed back home, after a long day. Written by Faith and Natasha
On the 27th and 28th Feb, our year 9 and 10 science classes along with the year 7ACE and 8ACE were given an opportunity to visit Earth Ed, located in Ballarat. The students learnt how to program and code the Lego Mindstorm robots. Firstly, the students needed to construct the robots from a series of instructions. This was a challenge for the students who had not used Lego before. The next challenge was to code the robots. Students used laptops to program their robots, to travel through a maze, go over a ramp and complete a 360 degrees turn around a chair and then to park underneath the chair. Initially, the students struggled with the tasks but as they learnt from their mistakes, they began to understand the programming process and the students became so proud of their achievements.
All of the students embraced the experience and really loved being given the opportunity to build and program the robots. The robotics club, which uses these same robots will be beginning soon and students will be able to further their coding skills they learnt on the day.
On the 28th February, the year 9 science students visited Ecolinc, Baccus Marsh. The students were studying ecosystems and were given the opportunity to conduct fieldwork along the Weribbee River, to assess river habitat and quality. They were particularly focusing on the habitat requirements of the platypus and the location of platypus populations. Besides the high winds, the students gained some important skills when collecting data and analyzing viable ecosystems.
VCAL
A busy start to VCAL this year. Year 11 students went tree climbing in Belgrave and the year 12 students attended the water park, located at Paterson River. It was a good opportunity for students to get to know each other and develop trusting relationships in situations way out of their comfort zones. The support amongst the students participating on these activities was very encouraging to see.
Last week, all VCAL students were fortunate enough to have Soren Jensen, a representative from the Commonwealth Bank, come to speak to the students about saving for their future, budgeting now having a part time job and preparing to open up their own business. Year 12 students also had a visit from Andrew Cassimaty, Harcourts in Cranbourne, to discuss renting and buying a home, in a unit of work where students are preparing for life outside of secondary school. In VCAL, it is essential that we prepare our students tor life outside of school. Our course this term is all about preparing students with skills that will assist them when they leave high school.
Yesterday, we took a group of year 11 students to Melbourne’s Cheapest Cars. The students had designed a budget, taking into consideration their income they will be receiving when they gain full time employment, and arrived at the car yard to see what they could buy. It was great to see students re-evaluating their initial budgets and learning about the important aspects of purchasing a car like the number of kilometers on the vehicle.