Mount Eliza Secondary College  ​ 'Educated for Excellence - Prepared for Life’  

SCIENCE NEWS  

SCIENCE NEWS

YEAR  7 SCIENCE – UNIT EARTH AND SPACE

NASA investigation

In year 7 science we investigated different types of devices that may be needed by NASA to live successfully on Mars or on the Moon. We made these devices in class and looked at ways that the devices could be improved and made these modifications. The groups of students then reported back to the class about the model that they made and the improvements they made to their models and why (see pictures below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPACE SUIT INVESTIGATION

Some year 7 classes investigated what materials could be used in a spacesuit to protect an astronaut from temperature extremes on the moon. An experiment was set up to see what effect colour and type of material had on the temperature of the water over time (see pictures below).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9/10 FORENSIC SCIENCE

This semester sees a number of 9/10 science electives running- Forensic Science, Extreme Science and Life Science.

At the present time in Forensic Science we have been investigating different types of evidence that can be collected from a crime scene including hair, fibres, fingerprints and foot/tyre impressions. In the tyre impressions investigation students had to make 2D (ink) and 3D (plaster) impressions of different toy tyres and discuss what detail each provided and if small imperfections could be detected with either method (see pictures).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VCE UNIT 2

CHEMISTRY

Students studying Unit 2 Chemistry have been investigating water, its use as a solvent and what substances are soluble in aqueous solutions. As part of this area of study students conducted an experiment looking at mixing different solutions to see any new insoluble products were formed (precipitates). From this they were able to deduce some laws for solubility (Pictures attached).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GTAC NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK EVENT

 

Magnificent microscopy: Life under a lens

 GTAC is hosting a free event for National Science Week for students aged 10 -13 and their families.

 

Where:  The Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)

                             77 Story Street, Parkville, Melbourne.

When:     Sunday 21st August 2016

 

Go  http://www.gtac.edu.au/life-under-a-lens/

to read more and to register for one of the following sessions:

Session A: 9.30am—11.00am 

OR

 Session B: 12.00pm—1.30pm 

 

Program details:

  • Investigate with scientists by zooming in on their scientific specimens using research grade microscopes, and discover how their research is being used to overcome global problems.
  • Use microscopes including light microscopes, powerful electron microscopes, and advanced fluorescent microscopes to discover how technology is used in cutting edge research.
  • Guided by scientist mentors, carry out exciting activities to investigate how cells become the building blocks of living things. Observe how strange aquatic life forms interact in pond ecosystems.
  • Become a scientist and discover what hidden beauty lies in your own backyard. Use GTAC microscopes to analyse specimens you bring in from home.