Science News

2023 has been a very successful and rewarding experience for many of our students in Science this year.

Our solar car team consisting of Alex, Misha, Isabella, Millie, and Josh with the assistance of Mr Darcy achieved the title of State Champions with their solar car “Wally”.

Wally was also the star of a movie made by the Blender extension group team. 

Our two FIRST Lego League teams have worked after school for two afternoons a week in semester 2 and have given up several lunch times to achieve great success as well. In the Salter Point Regional competition, the “Icey Dragons” team were awarded first place for their robot design. The “Cherry on Top” team were awarded overall Salter Point Champions and will now move on to the Nationals West competition at Curtin University on December 9th. Judges on the day at the regional competition were very impressed with the innovations created by both teams as well as their excellent teamwork and collaboration that was evident in their presentations to the judging panels.

In the science lab this term we have been focusing on Life and Living.

Year 1 has been developing their skills in palaeontology by looking at fossils and learning about dinosaurs and other prehistoric plants and animals.

Year 2 students have been showing lots of responsibility by looking after mealworms that have gone through a complete life cycle. We have great excitement now that darkling beetles are emerging from the pupa stage.

Year 3 students have been focusing on different animal groups and have learned how to use a dichotomous key as a classifying tool.

Year 4 students have been learning about the eucalypt tree and the animals that interact with the tree. They have used iPads well to capture some amazing photographs of different parts of the trees.

Year 5 student focus has been on adaptations by looking at plants and animals that adapted over time for survival. They have used iPad tools to present an adaptation and survival videos that share their knowledge of a chosen animal that has adapted to survive.

The Year 5 /6 class students have conducted investigations that have tested watering methods.

The Year 6 focus has been on microorganisms. They have conducted some interesting investigations regarding the spread of germs, mould growth on bread, and separating DNA from strawberries.