Science

A Frenetic Few Weeks

In the final frenetic weeks of this term, Science has been busy helping students prepare for their final set of assessments, including those important Year 10 and 11 examinations. Now that all marks have been returned, students are encouraged to heed the feedback from their teachers and start setting goals for 2024. 

In classes this week our students have been fully occupied, celebrating Science with a more inquiry-based approach.  The Year 7 classes were treated with a guest speaker Mr David Cavanagh (Mia’s Dad!) who enlightened the students about Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen. The students were able to interact with, and power up, their own hydrogen powered cars, explore wind power and turbines as well as interact with a hydrogen fuel station in Virtual Reality. We would like to thank Mr Cavanagh for his time, who shortly after speaking at St George’s, was off to Dubai to take the presentation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28. 

Our Year 8s finished off their Geology unit making some edible rocks! They enjoyed making their version of a metamorphic rock (rocky road) and some had a go at making an igneous rock (honeycomb)!  We are confident very little of the rocks made their way home.

In Year 9, a group of students set to making rollercoasters, using their understanding of forces and simple machines to simulate the twists and turns of a really fun ride!

The Year 10 Nobel students were successful in their transformational bacteria practical. This activity was the culmination of extended work over the semester, with students learning content normally given to Year 12 ATAR students. The results really ‘glowed’ for themselves! It has been fantastic seeing students rise to the challenge of difficult content, the Nobel Pathway has really opened student’s eyes to real Science life, outside of our classrooms. 

This is my final Science article for The Dragon at St George’s. After seven years, I am moving to Guildford Grammar School as Head of Science. I can truly say that my time here at St George’s has been nothing short of wonderful. I have had the joy of leading and working alongside an incredible group of passionate teachers and had the absolute privilege of teaching countless amazing students. Each and every day we all laugh, learn, create, problem solve, celebrate and tirelessly work toward a common goal of a love of Science. I will always carry St George’s in my heart. Mr Michael Heath will be taking over from me as Head of Learning Area – Science and is well known by the students and staff. As I leave for pastures new, I wish Mr Heath all the very best as he leads the great Science team at St George’s. 

Mrs Charlotte Donovan

Head of Learning Area – Science