Science News
Year 9 Science
All Year 9 Science students have been exploring the biology unit Body Coordination. As part of our studies, we have been investigating what diseases are, how they spread, and how disease transmission can be prevented.
To build our understanding, we conducted two experiments. First, we compared the effectiveness of washing hands with soap and water versus using hand sanitiser. It was surprising - and a little alarming - to observe how much bacterial growth occurred after using hand sanitiser!
This activity also helped us develop our skills in using the scientific method by identifying variables, discussing controls, and evaluating whether this experiment provided a reliable model for disease prevention.
In a second experiment, we modelled the transmission of infectious diseases within a population. Each student received a test tube containing water and "shared" liquids with other classmates to simulate everyday interactions like talking, touching, or sneezing.
At the end of the activity, a few drops of indicator were added to each beaker to reveal who had been "infected." It was eye-opening to see how quickly and widely the disease spread through a class of 52 students even though only two individuals were initially infected!
Youth ANZAAS 2025
Applications to attend the Youth ANZAAS week in the Term 3 Holidays have just opened.
What is Youth ANZAAS?
Youth ANZAAS is an annual residential international forum for science students in Years 10 to 12. Every year, students from each State and Territory are selected to participate in science activities and experiences over a period of a week. Students participate in behind-the-scenes tours, lectures with leading scientists, hands-on research and cutting edge technology.
Who organises Youth ANZAAS?
Youth ANZAAS 2025 is organised by the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) and the Royal Society of New Zealand and receives financial support from the Federal Department of Education.
When and where will it be held?
Youth ANZAAS 2025 will be held in MELBOURNE VICTORIA from Sunday 6th July through to Friday 11th July. Delegates will stay at Ormond College at the University of Melbourne Parkville Campus located close to the Melbourne CBD and to many significant scientific research establishments. Last year’s students visited the Department of Defence Research, RMIT and Melbourne University with behind-the-scenes tours of the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical research.
How much does it cost?
Participants pay only the conference registration fee of $680.00 which covers accommodation, meals, forum sessions, travel and tours.
How do I apply?
Please send electronic applications to malcolm.jenkins2@defence.gov.au by Sunday 4th May 2025.
Applications and teacher endorsements can be sent separately.
Please send the applications asap and the teacher endorsements when you can.
Youth-ANZAAS-2025-Flier Youth-ANZAAS-2025-Application-Form
Want more information?
Visit: https://www.anzaas.org.au/youth-anzaas-2025/
Please direct all enquiries to Malcolm.Jenkins2@defence.gov.au or call 0448 473 602.
Or pop into the Science office and speak to Ms Green.
Year 10 Climate Activism Communication Pieces
In Year 10 Combating the Climate Crisis, students have been learning about environmental activism. We started off by watching a documentary, Wild Things, which follows the history of environmental activism in Australia.
Students were then able to select an environmental issue of their choice and present an activism campaign in any creative manner they would like.
Provided here are some samples of the amazing work from Inuka Nissanka who created a poster about Coral Bleaching, a poem from Onesha Dias about Textile Waste & Overproduction and Sharon Paulson who created a large diorama to model Light Pollution.
