Science Snapshot 2021

This year in Science we have once again had our students engaging in a number of practical experiments and field work at all levels. It is great to see them applying the scientific method and learning through their observations. 

It was particularly exciting to have our Year 9 Criminology classes and Year 10 DNA all the Way students able to undertake experiments involving Polymerase Chain Reaction (making copies of DNA) and Gel Electrophoresis (DNA separation) to investigate different scenarios where DNA is used. This high-end equipment is what is used in universities and laboratories to investigate DNA and we are lucky to have been able to purchase these for our students learning. 

We have had students participate in the In2Science peer mentoring program. It has linked students with a mentor who is currently studying science at university. They discussed general interests, career pathways, and explored topics of interest for the students. Also some Year 12s linked with local students at the Melbourne University campus for Tutoring in Sciences, thanks to the Smith Family.

Several students participated in the Science Olympiad exams, with Year 10 Matthew Hanns achieving a High Distinction and participating in the Junior Science Olympiad Training Squad. This is quite an achievement being one of 24 students nationally who moved onto this level. 

Over the summer holidays we have students involved in two different programs.

Several students from Year 11 and Year 12 are participating in the Strengthening Engagement and Achievement in Mathematics and Science (SEAMS) program. This is offered by Monash and Melbourne Universities. These students will have a head start into VCE Math Methods and either Chemistry or Physics. In addition to this they get to experience life on a university campus and meet like-minded students. 

Year 12 student, Rowan Farren, will be attending the National Youth Science Forum. This is a two-week program which involves specialist lectures, speed networking and talks from renowned STEM experts, and critical thinking seeing inside amasing STEM facilities and labs, meeting researchers and STEM experts, and learn what a career in science looks like. We are grateful to the Rotary clubs of Shepparton and Mooroopna in their support of this program. 

In 2021 we farewell Livia Tiso, Jayne Moule and Callum French from the Science team at GSSC. They have all been positive contributors to our team and we wish them all the best for the future.

Sarah Beattie

Science Domain