Science - Key Learning Area in Focus

The Science team at Chevalier College has been busy inspiring curiosity, innovation, and a love of learning in students across all year levels. Over the past few months, students have been engaged in hands-on research, national competitions, and real-world scientific investigations, bringing classroom concepts to life and connecting them with the wider world.

Students enrolled in the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Science Extension program over the summer are now finalising their major research projects. These investigations cover a diverse range of topics, including modifying medicines to improve their effectiveness, exploring the potential for habitable environments on Pluto, and investigating the effect of dopamine loss on the brain and its impact on Parkinson’s Disease. 

This program gives students the opportunity to work at the forefront of scientific discovery, tackling global challenges with genuine research skills. Nominations will soon open for Year 11 students interested in joining Science Extension in their final year, an exciting chance to pursue advanced topics and contribute to innovative projects in fields such as medicine, astronomy, and quantum computing.

For the fourth consecutive year, Chevalier College has claimed victory in the prestigious Southern Highlands Science and Engineering Challenge, securing a place in the highly competitive NSW State Finals. The Challenge provides an invaluable opportunity for students to apply STEM principles to real-world problems, while developing critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 

In August, the team spent the day with Mr Byrne in an intensive workshop, honing their communication skills and preparing for the competition. Activities included encoding and decoding messages, building complex scheduling charts, strategising glider and wind turbine designs, and constructing bridges, the most successful weighing just 85g yet supporting an impressive 6kg. The team looks forward to representing the College at the State Finals at the end of August.

Our students have also been learning beyond the classroom through a variety of excursions. Year 12 Physics have toured the Tyree transformer facility and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation nuclear reactor in preparation for their depth studies. Year 12 Chemistry attended UNSW to explore spectroscopy, searching for biosignatures on distant planets. 

Year 12 Biology visited the Museum of Disease, gaining first-hand insight into the impacts of the diseases they study in class. Year 11 Biology ventured to Mount Annan Botanic Gardens to investigate the evolution of Australian biota. Looking ahead, Year 7 students will enjoy a Science Immersion Day in November, featuring the Zoo Mobile, an exciting chemistry show, and an engineering bridge-building challenge. These experiences continue to strengthen the link between classroom science and its application in the real world, a core focus of the Science team here at Chev.

Tim Byrne