Science Excursions
Heatherton Christian College
Moonlit Sanctuary
Year 7 students explored the Moonlit Sanctuary to study animal classification. They learnt about Aves (emus, cockatoos, and eagles), Mammalia (koalas, kangaroos, and dingoes), and Reptilia (turtles and snakes), as well as Amphibia (frogs). After identifying the similarities and differences within each class, students observed the species up close, even patting and feeding the friendlier kangaroos. It was a beautiful winter day, and the students thoroughly enjoyed learning about the different animals—with the owls emerging as the crowd favourite.
Bounce
As part of the unit on motion, Year 11 students went to Bounce. They applied their knowledge of forces to race through the ninja course, identified energy transformations on the trampolines and observed changes in momentum as they flipped off the cliff jump. The students enjoyed challenging each other up the walls and thinking about the types of physics questions that could be written using their experience.
Scienceworks
To experience lightning and electricity generation firsthand, the Year 8 students visited Scienceworks. "Electricity, magnets and motion" were the key phrase within the Lightning Room where students used movement to create an electric current in a generator and watched as the Tesla coils created lightning. Through the day they imagined future technology, investigated how optical illusions are produced and experienced wave lengths. The last session was Sportsworks where the students raced against the clock and explored how their bodies create energy and power when playing sport.
Lisa Thomson
Science Teacher
