Science & STEM News 

Report from Science & STEM News 

Year 10 science students worked on an exciting project to construct a Hertzsprung-Russell (H-R) diagram based on the colour of stars. They learnt to classify stars according to their colour, which corresponds to their temperature and luminosity. Students plotted their findings on the H-R diagram, helping them understand the relationship between a star's colour, its life cycle, and its position in the diagram. This hands-on project helped to reinforce concepts of stellar evolution data analysis skills and scientific visualization.

Ms Buyya, Mr Lou & Ms Nair

Year 10 science students recently embarked on an engaging excursion to Science works, where they attended the captivating planetarium show Ticket to the Universe. This immersive experience took them on a cosmic journey, exploring the wonders of space and the universe. The students also visited the permanent exhibition Beyond Perception, which offered a fascinating exploration of invisible forces and fields that shape our world. Through large-scale exhibits, they discovered the mysteries of gravitational waves, invisible light, sound, aerodynamics, and other cutting-edge scientific research. This hands-on learning experience helped students gain a deeper understanding of the unseen phenomena that influence our lives and sparked curiosity about the ongoing discoveries in science.

Ms Buyya, Mr Lou & Ms Nair

The Year 11 Chemistry excursion to the Victorian Space Science Education Centre (VSSEC) provided students with a unique opportunity to engage in two hands-on analytical investigations focused on supporting astronaut health for long-term space exploration. In Experiment 1, students used the Atomic Absorption Spectrometer to determine the concentration of serum calcium and magnesium in astronaut samples, while in Experiment 2, the UV-Visible Spectrometer was employed to measure the concentration of serum iron. Throughout the excursion, students took on the role of scientists, responsible for the creation and testing of standard solutions and samples, as well as the interpretation of their data. A dedicated preparation and consolidation session allowed students time for deep thinking and to solidify their conceptual understanding of the experiments, fostering both practical and theoretical knowledge essential for space health science.

Ms Buyya

Year 11 Chemistry 

Mission to Mars

In a hands-on geological survey of the Mars surface, Year 8 students work as a team to apply their problem-solving skills while simulating a mission on Mars. Dressed in specially designed spacesuits, they take on roles as astronauts, mission controllers, and research scientists.

Astronauts collect equipment, de-pressurise in the airlock, and step onto the Martian surface to gather real soil and rock samples, drill an ice core, conduct a thermal survey, and measure seismic activity. 

Mission Control officers, communicating via radio, ensure the astronauts' safety and the success of the scientific mission. After returning to Earth, students analyse their samples and perform additional investigations in the laboratory, reinforcing their scientific knowledge and teamwork skills.

Mr Chandrasegaran, Ms Goodfellow, Ms Buyya