Science News - How do things work? 

Year 7 students have been working in teams to collaborate on how Simple Machines work, in particular delving into the world of pulleys and levers. They have had simulations and then practical work to gather data and evidence to show the mechanisms of the apparatus. 

Year 8 students have started to find out how the Earth has made different kinds of rocks. From Igneous to metamorphic. Minerals and formations are all being explored so that students can see the wonders of the Earth. 

Year 9 students have been exploring nature and how it works. From creating terrariums and seeing what animals will help the plants survive and what will eat the plants. The students then had the opportunity to learn about how to count populations of organisms either through simulations or counting weeds in quadrats on the oval. 

Year 9 Earth and Astronomy have been looking at how astronomers use the inverse square law to determine distances to stars. The students have been doing simulations and a practical to show exactly how this works. 

Year 9 Forensic Classes have been looking at how Etymology can help identify time at a crime scene. They have had the opportunity to create an experiment to look at the time it takes for the flies to lay eggs and watch the arrival of maggots. They have seen display boxes found usually at museums of collections of bugs to show the variations. 

Melissa Robinson 

Science Learning Area Leader