Science News
National Science and Engineering Challenge
On Friday 17 July, 17 of our students headed to Monash University to take part in the National Science and Engineering Challenge, a hands-on science and engineering competition run by the University of Newcastle for students right across Australia.
Working in teams, our students tackled a huge range of challenges on the day - from building lightweight model bridges to carry "gold" ingots, to constructing wind turbine blades, launching model gliders, designing secret codes for fibre optic communication, and even building mechanical grabbers from PVC pipe and string. Each activity tested a different mix of engineering, problem-solving, teamwork and creativity under time pressure.
A huge congratulations to everyone involved - your collaboration, resilience and enthusiasm on the day did the school proud and finishing fourth was an impressive achievement. Thank you to all the students who represented Nossal so well.
Nossal Science Photography Competition
The 2026 National Science Week theme is “Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all.” This theme encourages students across Australia to explore how curiosity and inquiry help ideas take root, grow and spread. Just as seeds need the right conditions to flourish, scientific knowledge grows when it is nurtured, shared and applied to real-world challenges.
To build excitement ahead of Science Week in August, our Nossal Science Photography Competition is your chance to combine creativity with your passion for science. Your photograph may connect to the Science Week theme or capture any scientific idea, concept or moment that interests you.
During Science Week, judges will award Best Photograph in three categories:
- Monochrome
- Colour
- Altered Reality: digitally manipulated or darkroom-altered images
Submission Requirements
- Submit images in .jpg format
- Ensure sufficient resolution for judging and printing
- Cropping, straightening and minor exposure adjustments are permitted
- Digital or film can be used, but final submission is through a .jpg file
- The photograph must have been taken this year
- Files will be submitted via email to Ms Green therefore file size will need to be considered
Entries close Monday 3 August.
Happy snapping and happy science-ing!
Ms Tamara Green
Science Domain Leader
Biology News
On Wednesday 22 July, the Unit 3/4 Biology cohort had the privilege of attending a VCE Biology workshop at The University of Melbourne.
Under the guidance of several supportive demonstrators and helpers, students had the opportunity to carry out experiments in the University of Melbourne’s Mendel Laboratory, practicing skills such as micro pipetting, graphing and interpreting data, and operating a microscope, in a legitimate lab environment.
Alongside classmates and biology students from other schools, we investigated gene inheritance in flies, and infection immunity, drawing on content learned in class and applying knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Overall, this excursion was not only fun, but enlightening, offering students a unique chance to step into the shoes of a university student and genuinely consider what it would be like to continue their studies in Biology beyond Unit 3/4.
‘It was such an enriching experience being able to explore university life whilst deepening our understanding of Biology Unit 3/4!’ — Myla Fedhi, 12BI02
Charlie Loi
Year 12 student