Middle School

Year 9 Science

Throughout Term Four, we have been investigating the endless array of reaction types possible in Science. We have identified reactants and products, balanced chemical equations, compared combustion with other oxidation reactions and investigated the biological processes in respiration and photosynthesis.

One of the many experiments conducted required students to boil various leaf-types to allow for the presence of starch.

This was then used as an indication of the process of photosynthesis. Variegated leaves (leaves with darker middles and paler edges) were used to demonstrate that areas with a higher concentration of Chlorophyll (the green pigment in plants that facilitates photosynthesis) also contain more starch (the product of photosynthesis).

Students worked with their lab partner to carefully follow all instructions and documented their results before concluding that darker parts of the leaves contained more chlorophyll and therefore were the site of photosynthesis, indicated by the high concentration of starch in these sections.

Developing their ability to analyse and perform accurate experimental theory is an essential skill that will serve them well in their senior studies.

ROAD SMART – Year 10

On Tuesday 29th October the Year 10’s participated in Victoria’s new education and training road safety program called ‘Road Smart’. We had three guest speakers visit our school to deliver this interactive and hands-on program which reinforced the road safety message and gave students the tools they need to be safe on the road. The presenters provided numerous hints on how to use the online app for the Learner’s Log book. As a result of this program, our students said that they now feel more confident for the time when they are applying for their P-plates!

J. Holland