Science News
A word from the Science Co-ordinator
Another exciting week in the science department.
We all were so happy to have the students back in the classroom to catch up and see how they all went with online learning and it was great to see the laboratories back in action.
Mr Marshall offered a wonderful experience to the senior Physics students when they had a whole day listening and asking questions of a very impressive line-up of Physicists. They were looking at the first few moments after the Universe was created and discussing the evidence that scientists use to tell the narrative.
Ms Depaoli had a guest speaker on Genetic engineering and started an experiment on chemical resistant canola in the outdoor area of the science labs.
The Year 7 classes are completing an assessment task, where they will report on their own trip to the International Space Station, letting us all know about the problems faced by astronauts and their experiences as they use their imagination to relate the scientific facts about our solar system that they have learnt and researched in class.
The Preliminary Chemistry students have been very busy collecting Hydrogen gas as they study the gas laws. They will prepare a scientific report on their findings as part of their assessment.
The HSC Chemistry class have been making esters. These are organic compounds that are used in perfumes and are the chemicals that you smell when you eat a banana, pineapple or any fruit.
Next week, some Year 9 students will experience a difference when we implement a peer-teaching project for the next unit of work on how the body systems function.
It is all happening and keeps on happening in the science department as teachers give the students the best learning opportunities to explore the way things work
Again, I thank the teachers for their ideas, expertise and continual hard work
Best wishes
Esther Dumbleton
Science Co-ordinator
YEAR 10 SCIENCE
Year 10 science students had the opportunity to discuss and perform an experiment with our guest speaker from Griffith Grain and Feed DB Group, Richard West. He explained his role as a director and he described the varieties of canola seeds grown in the region for their yield, vigor and herbicide resistance. Students then conducted an experiment by sowing two varieties of Canola to later observe the effects of herbicide application This was a valuable experience for the students as it helped them link their class content to local industry to broaden their employment opportunities for their future.
We would like to thank Mr West for taking the time to speak us.
IT TAKES A SPARK CONFERENCE
In preparation for the It takes a spark conference, which aims to promote STEM for girls, Yr 9 and 10 girls will be working on the project below. If you are interested in tinkering and learning new things please come to S1 Tuesdays lunchtimes.
Assistive technology with Makey Makey
Brief synopsis of project
Assistive technology is any device, system or design, that allows an individual to perform a task that they would otherwise be unable to do, or increase the ease and safety with which a task can be performed, or anything that assists individuals to carry-out daily activities. Assistive technology is for friends, family members and caretakers of individuals with some form of physical or cognitive disability.
Students will
1. Learn about the MaKey MaKey and how to use it.
2. Find out what the user wants to do.
3. Find out what the user can do.
4. Design or choose an interface that lets the user do what they want using what they can do.
5. Build a prototype of your interface. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfQqh7iCcOU&feature=emb_logo
Year 11 Biology
Yr 11 Biology students observed plant cells down a light microscope.Tissue from an onion was taken and stained with a dye to view cells. Students learned skills in magnification and drawing cells to scale.
Denise De Paoli
Science Teacher
Year 7 Science
Year 7 science have been learning about the solar system. Today they were modeling how the earth orbits the sun and spins on its axis to create our day time, night time and seasons.
Sarah Covel
Science Teacher
HSC and Preliminary Physics
On Thursday 28th, our HSC and Preliminary Physics classes were able to access leading researchers in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics via a Zoom linkup.
This was a part of the The ARC Centre of Excellent for All Sky Astrophysics in 3 Dimensions (ASTRO 3D) virtual depth study field trip.
Students were able to gain an insight into the research and tasks required of professional astronomers and access information that would be essential to their upcoming studies in Module 8 of the HSC course. This module focuses on the Universe to the Atom and having concepts explained and questions answered by A/Prof Chris Lidman of Siding Spring Observatory and Prof Lisa Kewley of ANU really helped our students to gain an insight into physics.
We would like to offer our thanks to Delese Brewster and Matt Dodds for all their help in organising it.
Mr Elijah Marshall
Physics Teacher
