SCIENCE
Year 7 Melbourne Zoo Excursion
Earlier this term, over 2 days, around 200 Year 7 students set off to Melbourne Zoo for an exciting day of science in action. The excursion linked perfectly to our current unit of study on classification and adaptations, giving students the chance to explore how different animals survive in their environments.
Throughout the day, students took part in interactive sessions run by Zoo educators, where they examined real-life examples of animal features and behaviours. They had the opportunity to consider how these characteristics help animals find food, avoid predators, and thrive in different habitats. Students also explored the ways scientists' group and classify animals, building on the skills and concepts learned back in the classroom.
The highlight for many was seeing the animals up close and connecting the theory they’ve been studying to the real world. Whether it was noticing the sharp teeth of a carnivore, the camouflage of a reptile, or the specialised beaks of birds, students were able to link classroom learning to real-life observations.
The day also encouraged important conversations about the role humans play in protecting wildlife and ecosystems. Students returned with a deeper appreciation of biodiversity and a stronger understanding of how science helps us care for the natural world.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of learning, teamwork, and discovery — and a memorable experience for our Year 7 cohort.
Science Week 2025 - Decoding the Universe
This year, Mickleham Secondary College proudly celebrated National Science Week from 11th–15th August 2025, with the theme “Decoding the Universe.” The week was filled with curiosity, discovery, and hands-on activities designed to bring science to life for our students.
Each day at recess in D01, students had the chance to dive into a different science experience:
Monday: DNA Extraction – students learned how to isolate DNA using simple techniques.
Tuesday: Decoding Seed Shapes – exploring the fascinating patterns hidden in the natural world.
Wednesday: Primordial Soup – investigating ideas about the origins of life on Earth.
Thursday: Indigenous Astronomy – learning how First Nations knowledge helps us understand the stars and seasons.
Friday: Fibonacci Sequence – discovering how mathematics appears in nature, from pinecones to sunflowers.
Adding to the excitement, our science teacher Mr Duke set up a distillation experiment to demonstrate how we can separate a solution of water and hydration powder. This live demonstration gave students a great example of how scientific processes can be applied in everyday situations.
The week highlighted just how diverse and engaging science can be, sparking plenty of conversations and inspiring students to look at the world around them in new ways.
National Science Week at Mickleham is always a fantastic opportunity for our school community to celebrate science beyond the classroom—and 2025 was no exception!
Flower Dissection CAT
As part of their classification unit, our Year 7 students recently took part in a hands-on flower dissection. This activity gave students the chance to carefully take apart a flower and identify its key structures, including the petals, sepals, stamens, and pistil.
By observing these parts up close, students were able to see how flowers reproduce and how scientists use these features to classify different plant species. The activity was a fun and engaging way to connect theory with practice, helping students develop both their scientific skills and their understanding of plant biology.
