National Science Week

Impressive results 

This year 50 students participated in the International Competition and Assessment for schools (ICAS) Science competition. There were two distinctions, 8 credits and 11 merits achieved by our students.

A special congratulations to Winston Fok, who received a distinction for the fourth year running and was placed in the top 3% of Year 10 participants in Australia. Congratulations to Tristan Carnovale, who also achieved a distinction and was placed in the top 8% of Year 7 participants in Australia. 

ICAS Science assesses students' skills in key scientific areas of observing, measuring, interpreting and applying data, investigating experimental design as well as higher order skills including reasoning and problem solving. The competition also indicates how well a student is fairing in comparison to other schools in Australia and internationally.

On behalf of the science faculty we congratulate these students for their outstanding effort.

Dr Geeta Sood | ICAS Science Competition Coordinator

Three top tips

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki is the man with the answers when it comes to science and technology. His enthusiasm for science is totally infectious and no one is better able to convey the excitement and wonder of it all than Dr Karl Kruszelnicki. Cecil Hills  High School recently celebrated National Science Week. See Dr Karl Kruszelnick's three top tips on our school Facebook page!

Earth & Environmental Science

Year 12 Earth & Environmental Science students visited the Penrith sewage treatment plant. Students got to see the methods used for the disposal, treatment and recycling of liquid waste. Students also put into practice these methods taught by undertaking an investigation themselves - an investigation of cleaning untreated dirty water for environmental use.

S Vesey-Wells | Earth & Environmental Science teacher

Year 12 Biology

What an absolutely fantastic day Mrs Armitage, Mr Chandler and I had with the HSC Biology students as we ventured to the Museum of Disease at the University of New South Wales!

 In order to get a practical understanding of the Search for Better Health core topic and the option topic of Communication, students were inundated with case study examples and further knowledge through the series of activities and specimens made available. Students were engaged in a presentation by the education officer of the Museum who explained the rules and showcased some healthy and not so healthy specimens.

Inside the Museum of Disease, students were set to the task of using their Apple devices to access Socrative software and find out fun facts about pathogens and anatomical anomalies. Students answered a series of multiple choice and short answer questions regarding the case studies and specimens competed with one another. There was access to models, 3-D printers and even a PlayStation simulation so that students could locate Tuberculosis and destroy it!

During Biology class at school students were further able to successfully dissect a bull's eye and identify the structure and function of the eye based on models at the museum and at school. The lens was extracted beautifully and held up to show how it actually FLIPS images upside down. Fun fact: The brain processes the upside down image and corrects it.

Using the knowledge of this fantastic day, students gained a better understanding of anatomy and physiology which will most definitely assist in their HSC!

Miss Ali | HSC Biology Teacher

New species discovered!

 Piranagons! Flotus! Pecans! and more...

You are cordially invited to this year’s Scientific discovery conference. Our brilliant Year 7 scientists have uncovered a whole array of brand new organisms!

After working tirelessly for six weeks, Year 7 have put their scientific understanding and creativity to the test with the submission of their posters and amazing models! The conference ran throughout the day with three classes presenting to each other at a time. It was extremely rewarding to see the students put in so much effort and support one another. With inquiring minds, it was a fantastic effort by all students to figure out a creative scientific name, create a habitat and think of original adaptations to assist their species survive. The originality in the creations were absolutely fantastic! Jacinta Loeung of 7P had even brought her pet Leaf insect demonstrate some characteristics of her species!

It was a great way to end Science week by demonstrating the efforts of our students. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive!

“I think the science assignment was really fun. It was a good opportunity to learn new things. I had a lot of fun making my 3-D model. It was a great experience presenting to other Year 7’s as well”. Angelina Karac; discoverer of The Pecan",  Year 7O

 “The assignment was extremely fun to create as I could go beyond the limits of my imagination to make a new species. When presenting, I felt so proud of my work. It was great to hear so much praise. This is 100% my favourite assignment I have had all year!” Djordje Kaludjerovic; discoverer of The Thanasima Bird, 7S

“I really enjoyed the science assessment. I had fun creating my animal. It was fun to have people see my assignment at the conference. Thank you to Miss Ali for giving me the opportunity to do the assignment and show it to everyone”  Ayeanna Salazar; discoverer of The Flale, 7O

“This was a fun and exciting way of creating our organisms. I have had this idea since primary school. It took me 6 weeks to create however it was worth the time putting it together. If you believe. You will succeed!”  Ziwa Saeed; discoverer of The Piranagon, 7O

“When I was planning my creation, I thought it was really fun and I had everything planned out. As I progressed with my creation, every thing started to look just as I wanted it to. Throughout the time, I went through a bit of challenges to get my final creation. After lots of hard work, my Flotus looked better than I had expected and that made me super happy” . Joey Gandin; discoverer of The Flotus, 7O

 “I really enjoyed doing this task as it helped me learn how to research and find information. I loved the creativity part where I could design my own idea and have fun!” Aniah Faatoatoa; discoverer of The Forest Floor Melon, 7Y

“The assignment was challenging however it was really fun because we were able to join different living things together to create our own animal with special features” Arianna Younis discoverer of The Dogasaur, 7Y

“The assignment as an entirely new experience as it was a unique sort of assignment and much different to a test. It was a strenuous task, though the results we produced in the end was beyond spectacular!” Tiana Tepsa; discoverer of The Leaf Tailed Planimal, 7S

Thank you to all science staff members for assisting in the smooth running of the conference, the teachers who took the time out to support our scientists and a special thank you to Mr Miller (Head Teacher TAS) who utilised a 3-D printer bring a student’s creative design to life!

Miss Ali  |  Year 7 Science teacher