Science News

Students have been involved in the experience of the Forensic Workshop delivered, for the most part, in their science lessons over the last two days.  The presenter showed a crime scene of a teenager who was found after 4 days in a bunker. Students examined footprints taken from the scene, DNA and fingerprints taken from the cans left in the bunker and identified bruising, and the cause, on the young girl’s neck. Students were able to examine evidence from an entomologist and by looking at the maggots found on the body, were able to give the time of death.  The students were presented with other forms of evidence such as toxicology to logically identify the killer.  This is a real-life application of science and was a valuable learning experience for those students who attended. I hope students gained valuable insights into one way that science works in society and that they found it very interesting.

Year 7.5 have been studying electrostatic forces and were enthralled with science when they were able to bend water and model the water molecule.  A simple balloon was used and it was great fun.  Many classes have gone on from Forces to study the Changing Earth another exciting and amazing area of science.

Year 9 have continued to study specific infectious diseases and the pathogens. 9.3  had their faces screwed up as they watched one teenager who was infected with the Toxocara parasite. It was not pleasant, but she survived. 

10.1 have embarked on a peer teaching program and have been investigating the Geological time scale and the development of life on Earth over the Eons. I am quite impressed with the entertainment that they put into the lessons and I will be very interested in how much they have learned with the new experimental pedagogy. Evidence of their learning will be next week when they do an AFL task on their understanding so far. 

The College is working very hard to improve writing skills of all students by using the curriculum to develop informative, persuasive and creative writing skills in a unit of work. Teachers have provided many ideas and resources for this initiative and I am looking forward to reading some great works. 

The preliminary Chemistry students are currently studying dilution and stoichiometry and had some very impressive results between experimental and theoretical yields in the labs. The are making great chemists!

Every week is a busy one at Marian as we provide the very best learning experiences for our students. I would again like to thank those parents of Year 9 and Year 10 students who supported the science department by paying the $15 asked for so that students could experience the Forensic Science workshop. We still have not covered the costs so I ask any parents who have not paid yet, if they could do so. 

Enjoy the lazy wet weekend

Best wishes

Esther Dumbleton (Science – Leader of Learning)