Discovering Science

Year 8 Science

Last week Year 8 began a series of excursions which will see them all getting to go to Thalgarrah Environmental Centre as part of their Ecosystems unit for Science. 

While at Thalgarrah students were able to participated in a study of water quality, which included catching, examining and identifying river arthropods. Following that, they undertook a small research project in bushland using man-made caterpillars to examine local predators.

 A big thanks to Thalgarrah for having us for such an enjoyable day of great learning!

 ​Gemma Cameron

Teacher - Science

Year 11 Environmental Science

Year 11 Environmental Science students have signed up to ‘Soil Your Undies’, which is a citizen science campaign run by UNE’s Dr Oliver Knox and CottonInfo. It aims to explore soil health in a fun and engaging manner.

For the challenge, participants receive a pair of 100% white cotton undies to bury in topsoil for two months. After this time, the undies are retrieved, photographed and the level of decomposition recorded. If the undies have decomposed significantly, there is good biological activity which indicates healthy soil! The same soil organisms that break down the cotton undies will break down plant materials in much the same way.

We are all looking forward to the big reveal!

Tanya Williams

Teacher - Science