Science

Year 11 Chemists visit La Trobe (Bendigo)

Twenty-nine Year 11 Chemistry students gathered in the -2oC heat on Friday September 1, waiting to board a bus to La Trobe University’s Bendigo campus. Already on board were 5 students from Numurkah SC with another 6 Mooroopna SC students waiting on the other side of the river.

The students took part in a Chemistry Program enabling students to use instrumental analysis for the purpose of analysing for water-soluble compounds. The program is part of the La Trobe’s Outreach Program. WPSC formed part of the first half of the involvement of Shepparton students as those from Shepparton HS and McGuire College will head across to Bendigo on Friday September 8.

The students were given used an Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (AAS) to test for the amount of calcium present in water; a UV-Visible Spectrometer to test for the amount of detergent in water; and were shown how to use High Performance Liquid Chromatography to test for the presence of caffeine and paracetamol. In addition, students were given a tour of the University’s Bendigo campus. The program gave students some “hands on” use of equipment that is not available in schools and provided a practical context to the theory presented in the class room.

The idea and planning for the day was initiated though the VCE Chemistry Teachers network in Shepparton-Mooroopna and thanks must go to Emma Crewe of McGuire College and to Sandy Gunn, the chief executive of The Alliance, who did the liaison work between the five schools and La Trobe. Thanks also to:

• James (from Cardwells) who steered the bus through Bendigo and got us there and back safely;
• Jayne Moule (our lab. tech.) who gave up her day to come with us as a supervisor;
• Fraser Henry (student teacher) who took the advantage to observe our students outside the class room environment;
• The kids – they were a great advertisement for the government sector schools in the area; intelligent and well-behaved