From the Classroom

Year 8 Science

Learning by Doing - A cow’s eye dissection

Teachers: Mr. Aluri and Mr Coleman with help from Lab Assistant, Ms. Sushi Kumar

Yr. 8 C students embarked on lab dissection of a cow’s eye last week

Why a cow eye dissection?

In large part, because of its similarities to the human eye.

The human eye is one of the most complex and sophisticated organs in the body. Although it’s small and delicate, the eye allows us to see the world without any conscious effort. For example, it adjusts to light automatically. This process enables us to see in both starlight and the brightest sunlight.

A cow eye is very similar to the eye of a human. One benefit of a cow eye dissection is that by examining the anatomy of a preserved eye, you can learn how your own eye forms images of the world and sends them to your brain.

The eye’s automatic focusing system is faster and more precise than that of any camera. While a camera lens must be moved back and forth to adjust for distance, the lens of the human eye simply changes shape.

(Without this feature, like cameras, we’d need long tubes sticking out of our eyes!)

Venkata Aluri - Science Teacher

Wood Technology

Practical hands-on work, innovative collaboration, higher-order design thinking and plenty of student creativity are all in full swing this semester in the Wood Technology department. Students have completed developing their design ideas and are now well into production on a range of projects.

Juniors are working on LED light powered lamps, Year 9’s are building tables, and the Year 10’s have free reign to build any furniture that will suit their needs so we are seeing a lot of gaming console desks. Additionally, the Vet Furnishing class are nearing completion on their timber chairs and will begin exploring finishing techniques with stains and oils after the break. Many of the projects will be on display at the end of year Art and Design exhibition so be sure to get along to see the finished work.

Image of Timber Chair by Emily Laidlaw