Science News
Science Talent Search 2026
Students at Glen Eira College are invited to take part in the 2026 Science Talent Search (STS), a statewide competition organised by the Science Teachers’ Association of Victoria that encourages students to explore their curiosity in science through independent projects.
The competition is open to students in Years 7–12, with entries submitted individually or in pairs. Projects can take many different forms including experimental investigations, scientific posters, photography, inventions, games, computer programs, creative writing, video productions and working models. More information is available here: https://stav.org.au/science-talent-search/
Science Talent Search is a great opportunity for students who enjoy science, technology, design or creative problem-solving to explore an idea that interests them and share what they discover. Many successful entries start with a simple question or idea.
Students interested in entering are encouraged to attend a lunchtime information session on Wednesday 1st April in Room 108, where project ideas, categories and the entry process will be explained.
Students can register their interest using the form by Friday 8 May: Register here. Registrations are now open.
Final projects are submitted through the school, with entries due late July.
Students who would like to participate or learn more are welcome to speak with Mr Van Weeghel in staffroom 8 (level 1).
Year 12 Physics Excursion – Luna Park
On Friday 6th March our Year 12 Physics students travelled to Luna Park Melbourne to take part in the annual Physics Day, organised by the Australian Institute of Physics in partnership with the VicPhysics Teachers’ Network.
The event ran across five days and was extremely well attended by schools from across Victoria. Thirty-one Glen Eira College students attended on Friday, joining students from 45 schools participating on that day.
Students worked through a structured program of rides while being tasked with collecting data for entry into their investigation booklet analysing the motion and forces involved. The day began with a particularly energetic start, with groups tackling some of the most intense rides in the park — Power Surge, Enterprise and Spider — within the first part of the schedule.
After this hectic start, the laws of physics proved a little overwhelming for a few students, while others continued strongly through the remaining rides and investigations.
The workbook required students to measure quantities such as the rotation period of selected rides. These measurements could then be used to calculate values including speed, centripetal acceleration and the forces experienced by riders. The activities linked directly to the Unit 3 Physics course and allowed students to experience first-hand how the concepts studied in class apply to real-world motion.
Beyond the physics, the day also provided a valuable team-building experience for the cohort. Working through the ride schedule together, comparing measurements and supporting each other through some of the more intense rides helped strengthen the sense of camaraderie within the group as they move through their final year of Physics.
The weather was perfect, making it an ideal day to explore physics in a real-life context and creating a memorable excursion for students.
Events like this provide a valuable opportunity for students to see physics beyond the classroom — and occasionally to feel the forces they are calculating.
Erik Van Weeghel
Science Learning Area Leader