SCIENCE

Science

Science students shared, discovered and explored the exciting world of science in their core and elective classes. They discussed, created and invented throughout their science topics of biology, chemistry, physics and psychology. This year students have had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of teaching and learning activities beyond the classroom. 

Australian Science Olympiads

Sixteen students competed in the Australian Science Olympiads, a national enrichment program for secondary science students. It provides rewarding opportunities for students to extend themselves way beyond school science through challenging exams, stimulating extensions and enrichment programs. Congratulations to Riley McIntosh, awarded a credit and Declan Beech for a distinction.

Science Week 

National Science Week provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge. It also aims to encourage younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in.  This week gave a chance for our junior science classes to participate in some fun science activities. This year’s theme was ‘Glass – More than meets the eye’. 

Year 7 students explored the ‘Glass in Agriculture’. The Flavorite excursion allowed students into giant glasshouses and to get up close with tomato crops, developing an appreciation for where food and fibre come from. RACE in collaboration with KSC provided a unique opportunity to make curriculum hands-on and incorporate agricultural learning into our classrooms.

Year 8 students participated in three food and fibre workshops that include a guest speaker from Saputo, milk sensor experiments and turning milk into butter. Students learnt about the importance of the agriculture in our everyday lives and how food gets from the field to our plate.

Year 9 students presented at their local primary school sharing their passion for science. The students had the challenge of designing mini science activities that they taught prep and grade 1 students. They create a science expo that was informative, interactive and fun. The grand finale was firing water rockets.

Year 10 students had a visit from a local pyrotechnic expert. Students in class ran a range of chemical experiments displaying energy production. This was scaled up with demonstrations of a range of fireworks and water barrel explosions. Science week literally exploded! 

From all reports the students had a ‘blast’.

Science Excursions & Incursions

The Year 10 applied science and senior physics students delved into the scientific concepts that enable the rides at Gumbuya to safely deliver thrills and excitement at the ‘Introduction to Physics Day’.   

The applied science class participated in the ‘Getting into Genes’ program with RACE. They had a guest speaker and mentor from Total Livestock share about careers and agriculture and how genomics is being used by farmers. Students analysed cattle data and designed their own heard. They then visited a farm to see the heard that they had been studying and see the technology in place to monitor dairy cattle.                                                                  

VCE students prepared themselves with the skills to be successful in school assessed coursework and exams by immersing themselves in further learning activities. Biology students visited the Gene Technology Access Centre twice. Firstly, they completed transformation experiments using gene technology and then to respond to pathogens and generating immunity in a laboratory. The Psychology students went to Amazing things and explored visual illusion.

What a great year for Science!