Science News

Science

The Science faculty have worked hard to ensure their energy efficiency was kept at a maximum as they maintained their momentum throughout such a long and busy term.

Year 7 and 8 YAP have worked collaboratively this term to develop their Working Scientifically skills through a variety of investigations. Their investigations included the effectiveness of antibacterial soaps compared to hand soap and just plain water, the relationship  between the slope of land and the speed of bushfires, comparing the flammability of Australian native plants and the relationship between the quality of a person’s vision and the angle of their peripheral vision.

Year 8 have been learning about the systems that work together so that plants and animals can efficiently carry out their daily functions. They constructed a model of an anatomical aspect of a functioning organism for their assessment task, which students used as part of their presentation to the class.

Year 9 have studied energy and produced some quality Thermflasks for their assessment task. We tested their flasks in class to see which flask could reduce the heat lost from 100ml of boiling water and we were impressed with the effectiveness of the flasks that the students produced.

Year 10 students investigated motion by developing their understanding of distance, displacement, speed and velocity. They have learnt about Newton’s Laws of Motion and the application of these in the world around them. Their assessment task was an individual Student Research Project where they had the opportunity to investigate an area of science that is of interest to them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th5MW8DQFK0

Year 11 and 12 are working through the new syllabi for Science and seem to be enjoying the shift to more analysis of information and data and the applications of what they are learning beyond the classroom.

Year 11 Biology students had a great day at Putty Beach rock platform where they carried out sampling techniques to measure the distribution and abundance of species, tested factors such as salinity and looked at how all the factors of an ecosystem interact, including the negative impacts of humans.

Year 12 Biology students produced models to demonstrate their understanding of how processes during the production of sex cells leads to the variation we see in living things.

We wish the students a restful and safe holiday to recharge their batteries ready for another term of learning about the world around them.

Ms Louise Watkiss

Head Teacher Science

Year 12 Agriculture

Year 12 Agriculture have now produced the much anticipated 'HK Honey'. The students have lead this project as part of their Farm Case Study Unit and were involved at every step of the process.

They worked with professional beekeepers to extract honey from the school hive, packaged it all in jars (including designing the logo) and conducted research to determine a reasonable price. Miss Greenwood can verify that it tastes incredible!

Ms Amy Greenwood

Agriculture Teacher