Lab Team News

Hi Everyone,

Term 3 has seen the labs being very busy with all sorts of research projects being conducted for various subjects and international science fairs.

Extended Investigation (EI)

In the past couple of weeks we have had an Extended Investigation (EI) student working with your trusty lab tech Ms Trickett on their research project to identify an antibacterial agent from mushrooms.  There was great success, the procedure ….  although very in depth and complex worked really well and the results were sensational.

Science Fairs

We have 7 students chosen to attend the Japan Super Science Fair this year in November. They have all started their work in the past couple of weeks and the labs are a hive of activity. Students are working on a range of projects from ‘Evaluating the effectiveness of natural dyes (inspired by Edo-period techniques) compared to synthetic dyes’.  Another project on making ‘Biofuel from Agapanthus plants’ and an extension of the Platypus eDNA project that has been running at JMSS. 

Mapping Platypus populations in Melbourne’s River system – an update

The Platypus eDNA project had a student braving the wilds with more field sampling over the last school holidays and Ms Trickett braving the -1°C temperatures in the Yarra Valley.  With Year 10 Extended Experimental Investigation (EEI) fast approaching Ms Trickett was also sampling for the platypus project where she went out very early on a cold Saturday morning to collect water samples at various tributaries and places down the Yarra River ranging from Warburton to Yering.  Our fearsome leader Mr Chisholm also went out sampling In Guys Hill on the Cardinia Creek on a weekend to try and track down these elusive creatures.  These samples will be used for (EEI) in coming weeks. 

Last but not least: Don’t forget your labcoat and glasses, please leave them in your lockers for the term.  They only need a wash at the end of term or after a dissection.  PPE loans from the Labtech office (back of 1L3) are available but you will need your compass card to record the loan.

~ The Lab Team

Anna Zonneveld, Erika Trickett, Itta Waterson