Science Academy 

"Mr Tran, when do we ever get to do explosions in Science?" is probably the most commonly asked question that students ask when they enter into secondary science. The answer? "Never...it's unsafe.", followed closely by "At the Science Academy!!", where we once launched elephants toothpaste from a measuring cylinder onto the ceiling of the science labs. Was it intentional? Absolutely not! Was it unsafe? Surprisingly no, since we wore the appropriate safety gear and took careful considerations of the launch zone. Was it awesome? Absolutely!

The Science Academy is an after school science club that students can sign up for at the beginning of the year, and runs a 2-year program exploring different topics such as biology, physics, chemistry and forensic science. The majority of the units use project-based learning as a way to engage students in investigation, bringing both theory and application together. Students learn how ecosystems and nutrient cycles work by setting up fish tanks and breeding fish. They apply maths and engineering by building catapults to launch golf balls on the oval. And they learn sustainability by setting up aquaponics.

So the Science Academy isn’t just about exciting moments like foam erupting across the ceiling—it’s about lighting a spark that turns curiosity into lifelong learning. Through hands-on projects, real-world problem solving, and a bit of well-managed chaos, students discover that science isn’t confined to textbooks; it’s dynamic, creative, and deeply connected to the world around them. Whether they're launching golf balls, growing fish, or piecing together a forensic puzzle, students leave the Science Academy not only knowing more—but wanting to know more. And that, perhaps, is the most explosive outcome of all.

Duc Tran

Secondary Teacher