Humanities

What a time to be studying Economics!

Unit 1 Economics students have been blogging during Term 1 and 2 about current economic issues affecting Australia and the world. The project aimed to assist them to build their economic literacy so that they can use the language of economics in a knowledgeable and confident manner. The project also aimed to help students appreciate the relevance of economics in our everyday life!

Students engaged with a wide variety of media stimulus materials and blogged about a number of topics including but not limited to: · Why is the government hesitant in closing schools down? by James Gillan, Panic buying, and how it has changed consumer decision making by Halle Yong, What is the reason behind fare evasion? by Sylvia Dang, China travel ban affects Australian tourism by Yi An Kennedy, How behavioural economics can account for increased stealing at self-serve checkouts by Lehan Jones, Coronavirus, the Economy & the Environment by Rose Ketharanathan.

If you are interested in seeing more of their impressive work, you can access their blogs .

- Ms Chloe Steele, Economics Teacher

Virtual Fieldwork During Remote Learning!

As a fundamental geographic skill, fieldwork is an important part of the Geography curriculum. This term we had two trips planned: the Year 9s were going to Belgrave to look at the growth of tourism in the area and our year 11s were heading to Kinglake to investigate the impacts and responses of the Black Saturday bushfires. Remote Learning made it impossible to physically get there, so instead the Geography Team created ‘virtual fieldwork’ that students enabled students to see the sights without leaving their homes! Using video technology, students were provided with a close up look at the location as well as a commentary. Students are in the process of writing fieldwork reports and developing skills that will serve them well as they undertake Senior Geography. It has been a credit to the students for showing their versatility in responding to virtual fieldwork!

- Mr Tom Harley, Geography Teacher

Map My School Geography Competition

Winner announced: Wei Xuan Neoh of Box Hill High School

The competition was an online STEM activity that ran during term two. The activity involved producing a digital map of your school that meets cartographic (mapping) conventions to show the amount of tree shade and buildings. Wei Xuan mapped Box Hill High School using Google Earth Engine and then used Javascript coding to calculate the area of shade compared to buildings. Once the geographical information was represented, Wei Xuan impressively organised the final presentation as displayed in the image.

The competition was organised by Dr Karen Joyce of She Maps with sponsorship by the Surveyors Trust. Entries were open to students from around the world. The winning prize is a Tello drone valued at $169. Amazing effort Wei Xuan.

- Ms Sharyn Leahy Hatton, Geography Teacher