Science News

ICAS Science Assessment

The ICAS results for Science have just been emailed through! Hopefully students should receive their certificates early next term. I am very proud of all students who participated this year, not only did they achieve excellent results, but they pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to try something new and attempt science-based questions that have not yet been covered in the curriculum. Well done to all that participated! 

A special mention to both Adeep G and Luke S of Year 7 who achieved a High Distinction award; placing them in the 99th percentile in Australia. An excellent achievement!

Here is a snapshot of our students who achieved a Distinction award for the ICAS Science:

We are still awaiting the results for the International Chemistry Quiz – as soon as I have them, I will let the students know! 

Thanks for your understanding – Ms Green

Year 8 STEM and Design Thinking Investigations

This term all Year 8 students worked on their problem solving and design thinking skills in order to design a prototype that would assist a human body system. 

We saw Band-Aid development, stickers to administer nutrients, calming anxiety bracelets and period pain devices just to name a few! Students worked together in teams, allocated roles, conducted research and gave presentations of their findings to the class. 

Some groups were able to construct STEM-based models, while others used their IT skills to create three dimensional designs of their prototypes. 

It was wonderful to see our students sharing their ideas, working on their brainstorming and problem solving to create items that could potentially save lives one day! 

Well done, Year 8’s

Term 3 Holidays - Unit 3/4 Science Examination Planning and What's On in Melbourne

As our Year 12 students approach this term break, it is important to put a plan into place. Each of their teachers and our Learning and Teaching team have been talking to students about planning a study timetable, referring to the Study Design of each study to review, revise and prepare for the upcoming examinations. 

A planning template was distributed to all students in order to help guide them and provide some direction about how and when to study. Some further tips from the Department of Education also suggest:

• Ask for study advice – speak to your teachers about what you could be doing over the break.
• Find your best study time – not everyone can study at 6am! Find the time that works best for you.
• Get organised – have your resources ready and in an easy to access place.
• Take a break – if you’ve read the same line a million times, maybe it’s time to take a break! Or, talk to someone about what you are studying, it can help you to retain information.
• Revisit topics – use your text book, PowerPoints and notes to revisit topics from the Study Design.
• Find what works best for you – try different study techniques and find what will help you stay focuses and ready for the exam period.

And most importantly take care of yourselves! The Science team wishes everyone a safe and happy Term 3 holiday.

For those students who are not going into an exam period, why not use the Term 3 holidays to get out and about and enjoy some local Science?!

• The Melbourne Museum have some special exhibitions, such as “Bricktionary” – Brickman’s newest LEGO exhibition and “Tyama” – a daily exhibition to immerse you into a nocturnal world. Check out their What’s On page: What's on - Melbourne Museum (museumsvictoria.com.au)
• Science Works have a Light Illumination exhibition and are running a Spring Holiday Program on Light and Colour. For more details, have a look at their page: What's on - Scienceworks (museumsvictoria.com.au)
• And the Melbourne Zoo is always wonderful to visit in the Spring school holidays – their What’s On page can be accessed at: What's On (zoo.org.au)