Year 7 & 8 Murdoch

On the 18th of August, Year 7 and 8 Murdoch students travelled to Puffing Billy Railway Station. As we waited for our train’s departure from Belgrave Station to Lakeside Station, we explored the gift shop, finding plenty of lollies and some cool relics. The Year 7 students had to complete a task throughout the journey, timing how long it took to reach different destinations. 

We sat down, got our stopwatches and worksheets out, and recorded the times. As we travelled and took in the beautiful surroundings, we wrote down what time we arrived and how long it took to travel from the previous stop.

After a long train ride, we got off at Lakeside Station and had about 30 minutes of free time to look around. At Lakeside Station, there was a lake, a visitor centre and an old steam train known as 1A.

Following lunch, the Year 7 Murdoch class completed maths tasks about the destination, how long the ride was and why it took that long. We also worked through some algebraic equations about how many people could fit in a carriage. This was important for understanding how old trains like Puffing Billy can still operate in the modern world.

The Year 8 students were tasked with enjoying the scenic ride before completing a STEM-based activity at Lakeside Station. They had to design a solution based on sustainability or accessibility issues relating to Puffing Billy. They were able to use LEGO pieces and magnets to design and build their equipment.

Overall, Puffing Billy was a fun excursion that allowed us not only to ride on the train but also to learn about how it continues to operate to this day.

Paris J & Kate J.