Science

It has been a fantastic term of science at Sandy! A big welcome to the Year 9 and 10 students as they step into the Holloway Labs, where they'll be diving into exciting new challenges in their science studies. We also celebrate the Year 7 students, who have now earned their Bunsen burner licences and have been officially inducted into the science labs at Bluff Road.

Experiment Spotlight - How Big is the Sun?

This year, our Year 10 Astronomy students measured the size of the Sun using some very simple equipment. The students constructed pinhole cameras using tubes made of rolled project cardboard and ends covered in aluminium foil. The finished pinhole cameras were carefully aimed at the Sun by using a shadow minimization technique. This enabled the cameras to find the Sun without students having to look in the Sun’s direction. Eye safety was of paramount importance. A simple pinhole in one end of the tube projected an image of the Sun onto graph paper at the opposite end of the tube. By reading the size of the image on the graph paper and by doing one simple geometry calculation, students found the Sun’s diameter to be approximately 1.4 million kilometres, which is very close to its actual value. Not bad for cardboard, foil, graph paper, sticky tape, a pinhole, and - (with special permission) - mobile phones to take photos of the Sun’s image.

Experiment Spotlight - Psychology Students Visit SEPS

This term,  VCE Unit 1/2 Psychology students have been exploring the topic of cognitive development, with a particular focus on Piaget’s four stages of cognitive development. To deepen their understanding and apply their learning, students participated in an excursion to Sandringham East Primary School, where they conducted a series of small-scale experiments with Grade 1 students. These experiments were designed to assess key developmental concepts, including animism, egocentrism, and conservation.

Science Help at Holloway

For students who want to excel in their senior science studies, they should be taking advantage of our weekly help sessions with some of Sandy's VCE Science Teachers. These sessions allow students to ask questions, review tricky concepts, and develop their exam skills. Below are some of the sessions that run at Holloway each week.  

Tuesdays - Lunchtime in Room 038 - Devorah Waysman (Psychology)

Thursdays - from 3:30pm in the Library - Len Halprin (Physics)

                                                                            - Roxanne Toivanen (Biology & Chemistry)

                                                                            - Aoife Kennelly (Biology & Physics)

Opportunity for Year 11 and 12 Students to Join the International Science School 2025 Program

From Monday 7th to Friday 18th July 2025, the top 110 science students from across Australia and around the world will gather for ten days of inspiring, enthralling science. The two-week program will include inspiring research talks, lab tours, hands-on experiments, and amazing social activities to excite your enthusiasm, ignite your interest and cultivate your curiosity for science.

The program is looking for talented, enthusiastic Year 11 and12 students to apply from wherever they are across Australia — rural, regional and remote; public schools and independent; north, south, east, and west. 

Best of all? It's FREE!  Transport, accommodation, meals, activities — everything!

Get your application in by midnight Friday, 4 April.

For more details, download the Application Info PDF.

Apply here at the International Science School.

Opportunity - Spark Engineering Camp

The Spark Engineering Camp 2025 is an incredible experience open to students in Year 10 - 12. It's a week-long adventure designed for students who are passionate about exploring STEM pathways. Whether you're interested in engineering, fascinated by technology, or just curious about the possibilities that lie ahead of high school, Spark is the perfect platform to ignite your potential.

Applications are open until mid-April.

To learn more and apply, visit this website. If you have any questions or need more information, feel free to reach out to the Students Logistics Manager, Annie: students.logistics.melb@spark.ywb.com.au.