Community of Schools Science Fair Celebrating Curiosity, Innovation, and Achievement

Every year, the Community of Schools Science Fair continues to grow, shining a spotlight on the interest, curiosity, and remarkable achievements in science and STEM across our community. This year’s event was a colourful and engaging celebration that brought together students, carers, and staff from Elderslie High School, Camden High School, and Elderslie Public School.

Students enthusiastically presented a diverse range of projects, including research poster boards, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and STEM prototypes. These presentations created a vibrant collaborative learning environment, where students shared their findings with judges, peers, and carers. Among the standout projects were the Stage 2 students from Elderslie Public School proudly showcasing the solar cars they constructed. They explained their inquiry process, which involved learning about electrical circuitry and exploring factors influencing their cars’ movement—such as wheel size and solar panel placement.

The STEM prototypes on display were just as impressive, featuring roller coasters and environmentally sustainable theme park rides. Several Year 7 students captivated attendees by communicating the plight of Threatened Species through powerful art and writing projects. The fair also featured interactive activities, including making sherbet to experience chemical reactions firsthand, and taste testing alternative food sources like mealworms, ant lollies, and cricket-based corn chips. Adding to the excitement was a dynamic drone display that fascinated visitors of all ages.

This year, the fair was delighted to welcome special guests from CSIRO Generation STEM and Camden Council. They hosted informative stalls, providing students and carers with valuable insights into local citizen science projects and possible STEM career pathways within the Camden area. We appreciate their ongoing support of our students who have shown increased engagement in local issues as a result of their involvement.

The new Elderslie High School Senior Leadership team played a vital role throughout the event, assisting with presentations, a captivating chemistry demonstration, and photography. Their enthusiasm and dedication signal a promising year ahead, with many exciting initiatives anticipated.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the presentation segment, which began with a bang! Attendees were mesmerised by a colourful and explosive chemistry display led by Mr Kairouz and his assistants, Rabi and Charlotte. From methane bubbles to dramatic reactions between sodium and water, and liquid nitrogen demonstrations, the chemistry show was a highlight that delighted everyone present.

It was heartening to see so many students proudly participating, supported by carers and staff from all three schools. Events like the Community of Schools Science Fair provide invaluable opportunities for our high potential students to showcase their talents, engage deeply with STEM, and explore possible pathways to future careers in science and technology.

We look forward to seeing this vibrant tradition continue to inspire and grow in the years to come!

SCIENCE WEEK

Q & A with Dr Karl

During National Science Week (9 to 17th August), students in class 7L were given an opportunity to engage with renowned science communicator, author, and broadcaster, Dr. Karl Kruszelnicki. He is a qualified doctor, scientist, and engineer, and a renowned media personality who can explain complex scientific concepts in a clear and understandable way.

The theme of the live webinar was titled "Decoding the Universe: Exploring the unknown with nature's hidden language.” Students were asked by their class teacher to submit questions about the universe and the fundamental languages of nature, including mathematics and quantum science.

7L pre-submitted the following questions before the live streaming:

Can you solve the Grand Unified Field Theory?
Can you solve the formula of Gravity?
What defines the Universe?
What do we know about Mars?
Will science make a substance that will erase humanity?
Do you believe there are other life forms?
Can you clone and create people? Has it been done?
Why was Pluto disregarded as a planet, and was it named after a dog (!)?

Students were so excited as many schools participated, and during the actual event, an additional 150 plus questions were being asked, these being answered by a team of people behind the scenes.

There was a joyous moment as Dr Karl said, “Elderslie High 7L, is there life out there other than us?”. Dr Karl answered our number six question!!!

Science Week allowed students to engage with a real-life scientist, and the deeply provoking questions asked by our year 7 students give me immense pride that we are fostering future scientists here at Elderslie.

Well deserved recognition in the Victor Chang School Science Awards

The prestigious Victor Chang School Science Awards celebrate gifted Year 11 students. These awards encourage an interest in science among secondary school students, with the goal of promoting careers in STEM as a viable and interesting career path.

Elderslie High School has many outstanding Year 11 students undertaking STEM courses. This year, we recognise Jason Hsu, Meet Patel, Dean Roberts and Charlotte Wheeler for their diligence and commitment.

These hard working students were congratulated at a presentation session hosted by Camden Council and The Victor Chang Institute. Congratulations to all recipients. We hope you continue to foster your interest in the sciences beyond high school.

Generation STEM Camden Town Farm Visit

Year 9 science students participating in the CSIRO Generation STEM community partnership project on Water recently had an enriching experience visiting our local Camden Town Farm. Guided by expert representatives from the community, including our local council member Keiran, Vanessa from Landcare, and Louise from CSIRO, students explored the local waterways and gained valuable insights into the environmental challenges they face.

This excursion, conducted in collaboration with CSIRO and Camden Council through the Camden Seed Network, complemented their current research and prototype development. It provided a unique opportunity for students to discuss their projects with experts, receive authentic feedback, and share their ideas and concerns.

This hands on experience fostered critical thinking and creativity, essential skills that are highly valued in the workforce for effective problem solving and innovation. By connecting classroom concepts taught by Mr Buckley and Mrs Nath to real world environmental issues, students are better prepared to tackle future challenges.

We extend our gratitude to the Generation STEM Community Partnership program for funding this excursion, which helped our students build meaningful connections between schools, communities and industries across NSW, while highlighting local STEM careers and learning opportunities.

Year 8 Students Soar with LaunchBox Satellite Program

The Science Faculty is excited to announce that our Year 8 students have been selected to participate in the prestigious LaunchBox program, an initiative aimed at igniting student interest in Space and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This unique program provides students with hands-on experience working with cutting edge technology, including building and coding their very own CubeSats (microsatellites).

Thanks to the support of Mrs Nath and Mrs Ferris, Elderslie High School has secured 30 CubeSats (RASCubes) for our students to use, each with a value just under $2,000. This incredible investment means that many student groups will have access to their own satellite, maximising the practical learning opportunities available through the program.

Throughout LaunchBox, student teams will design, build, test, and launch a functioning CubeSat (RASCube), gaining invaluable skills in satellite technology. This practical experience complements the wider STEM learning opportunities offered at EHS through subjects such as Project Innovate (Year 8), iSTEM (Years 9 and 10), and Agriculture and Science.

With 75% of all new jobs requiring STEM skills (CSIRO), the LaunchBox program plays a crucial role in preparing our students for the future. It offers a platform to explore STEM careers that are vital to Australia’s growth and security.

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

Explain the real-world functions of space companies, satellites, and space technologies using ethical, cultural, and technical frameworks.
Design, build, test, and launch a functioning CubeSat (RASCube).
Communicate scientific concepts and technical features to diverse audiences through pitches, branding, and reports.
Apply scientific inquiry to collect, analyse, and reflect on satellite data to solve real-world problems.

We are proud to support our students as they embark on this exciting journey into the world of space technology and STEM careers. The LaunchBox program is a fantastic opportunity for our young learners to develop critical skills and inspire their future aspirations.

Year 9 iSTEM Students Take on the M7-M12 Bridge Building Challenge

Our Year 9 iSTEM students have embarked on an exciting and hands on learning journey by entering the M7-M12 Bridge Building Competition, a unique opportunity to apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skills in a real world context. As part of this project, students visited a live job site managed by John Holland, where they gained firsthand experience in project management and construction processes related to bridge building.

During the site visit, students learned about the complexities of managing large infrastructure projects and the importance of teamwork, planning, and precision. They were tasked with designing and constructing their own “spaghetti bridges,” putting their engineering and problem solving skills to the test. The experience was further enriched by interactions with real engineers and tradespeople who are currently working on the M12 motorway, providing valuable insights into the variety of careers and skills involved in such large scale projects.

The highlight of the competition was the testing day, where students had the exciting opportunity to put their spaghetti bridges to the ultimate test—subjecting them to destruction to evaluate their strength and design effectiveness. This practical challenge not only reinforced important STEM concepts but also encouraged creativity, resilience, and critical thinking.

This immersive experience has been invaluable in helping students connect classroom learning with industry practices, inspiring them to explore STEM careers and understand the impact of engineering in everyday life. We congratulate all students for their enthusiasm, innovation, and teamwork throughout the competition, and we thank John Holland for their support in providing this authentic learning opportunity.

Our Year 9 iSTEM students are developing essential skills that will prepare them for future challenges in STEM fields, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth and achievements.

We’d like to thank the Generation STEM Community Partnership program for funding buses to allow us to attend this testing day and allow our students build meaningful connections between schools, communities and industries across NSW, while highlighting local STEM careers and learning opportunities.

Streets Furniture Immersive experience

Our Year 10 STEM students recently had an inspiring visit to the Streets Furniture factory, where they gained an in depth understanding of how outdoor furniture is designed, prototyped, tested, and refined to meet rigorous design requirements. This hands on tour provided a unique insight into the real world processes behind product development and innovation.

During the visit, students met an industrial design engineer who challenged them to think creatively and critically by redesigning outdoor areas within the school to address current problems with the outdoor space. This challenge encouraged students to apply their STEM knowledge to practical design solutions that could enhance their everyday environment.

Students were also introduced to the diverse range of trades involved in manufacturing outdoor furniture, including welding, chemistry, powder coating, and mechanics. Witnessing these skilled professionals at work highlighted the collaborative nature of engineering projects and the varied expertise required to bring a design from concept to reality.

This experience is invaluable in helping students connect the theoretical learning in their iSTEM course with the practical skills highly sought after in today’s workforce. The iSTEM program is specifically designed to prepare students for future careers by developing core competencies such as problem solving, innovation, and teamwork—skills that industries across Australia are actively seeking.

We thank Streets Furniture for hosting our students and providing such a meaningful learning opportunity. Our Year 10 STEM students are now even more motivated to pursue STEM pathways and contribute to innovative solutions in their communities and beyond. And a special thanks to the Generation STEM Community Partnership program for funding this excursion.

VALID Science 8 assessment

During Term 4 students in Year 8 will participate in the VALID Science assessment.

The VALID assessment is a NSW Department of Education online assessment available to schools to assess and monitor student learning in science.

This is a diagnostic test, with tasks framed on Stage 4 outcomes and essential content in the NSW Science Years 7–10 Syllabus (2018). Students will be tested on their:

· knowledge and understanding of science

· understanding and skills in the process of scientific investigation

· ability to evaluate evidence, make judgements and think critically

· ability to access information and communicate scientific ideas.

The assessment can supplement existing school practices to identify how students are performing in science and to help teachers tailor their teaching more specifically to student needs. Students with disability may receive the same level of support during the assessment they would normally receive in the classroom.

The assessment will be scheduled for our Year 8 students during Weeks 3 and 4.

A personalised electronic report describing the knowledge and skills demonstrated by your child in the test will later be available from the school.

Optional advice:

Students will be asked to bring headphones or earbuds that plug into a computer to enable them to hear audio during the assessment. Earbuds used for mobile phones or other portable devices may be suitable for use during the assessment.

Where required, the assessment platform provides an on-screen standard calculator which can be used for calculations.

Astrosprouts! Stage 4 Students Explore Space-Grown Seeds in National Science Experiment

Exciting news from our Stage 4 students! Elderslie High School is one of just 20 schools across Australia selected to take part in a groundbreaking nationwide experiment coordinated by One Giant Leap Australia, KPMG, and Swinburne University. Our students are investigating how spaceflight affects plant growth using real seeds that have been flown to the International Space Station, alongside Earth-based control seeds.

This unique project allows students to explore how plants grow without gravity, as well as the effects of space radiation and weightlessness on seed development. On Earth, gravity guides root and stem growth, but in space, this natural orientation is lost, potentially impacting how seeds sprout and grow.

Throughout the experiment, our students will collect and analyse data on the growth of these special seeds and share their findings, becoming true citizen scientists. We will keep you updated on our data. We are proud to support their curiosity and scientific skills as they take part in this extraordinary learning experience!

TAS