Science News

WELCOME!

This past month we saw the successful touchdown of NASAs Perseverance Rover on to the surface of the planet Mars after 7 months travel through space. We also saw the start of a new school year, with new students and staff. I wanted to take some time to introduce the new Science team at Lowanna for 2021. I have been lucky enough to have the opportunity to lead this team for 2021, as well as teach Years 7, 8, 9 Science and 12 Chemistry. Coming from another Gippsland school where I have been teaching science and maths for the past 13 years, I am passionate about improving opportunities for our young people in science related fields. 

The Science teaching team at Lowanna for 2021 are working hard to develop rigorous, hands on learning experiences in science for our students from Year 7 right through to VCE. We welcome Mr McInnes and Mr Sands to the team for 2021. They join a long list of passionate teachers who will support our students to develop their science knowledge and skills. 

An understanding of Science has never been more important than now, with new vaccines being rolled out to combat Covid and advances in the renewable energy sector in the news nearly every week. Our students must think critically about the information they are presented with, so they can make informed decisions going forward. 

Science careers

This month we held the Meet the Scientist event on International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Check out the article in the Careers section. We will hold more events in the coming months where students can hear and learn more about science careers. 

In2Science is a program where students can receive one-on-one or small group mentoring with a University student studying science, engineering or maths. The program helps to bridge the gap between school and the transition to University, as well as increasing student’s communication skills. We hope to bring the program to students at Lowanna by Semester 2 this year, so keep an eye out for more information. https://in2science.org.au/ 

Science at home

We encourage you to spend time with your child/guardian and discuss science related topics at home. Discuss the rover’s landing and the covid vaccine. Have a conversation with them about what they are learning in science. Check out the “This term in Science” section for more detail. Get them to make observations whilst they are cooking, or even cleaning! There is so much science in what we do every day. 

We want you!  

If you have a job or career in a science related field, we would love to hear from you. We are looking for guest speakers to talk to our students about the pathway to a career in science. We know that it is not just about white lab coats and glasses. If you are interested, please contact me at the college.

Over the next two years, Perseverance will travel across the Martian surface looking for signs of alien life and carrying out tests that are key to future manned missions to the planet. Just like the rover, I look forward to seeing what our students can accomplish over the next 12 months in science.

THIS TERM IN SCIENCE

 COMING EVENTS

National Science Week 2021

14 - 22 August 2021

Theme: Food: Different by Design

https://www.scienceweek.net.au/ 

LINKS

https://stelr.org.au/WomenInSTEM/

A series of 19 video profiles featuring female role models and entrepreneurs from STEM fields.

The videos aim to inspire girls (and boys) to pursue STEM careers and aim to boost enrolments of girls in STEM subjects in senior years of schooling by highlighting study pathways.

https://www.nasa.gov/perseverance

Read more about the NASA Mars Perseverance Rover.

Kylie Lambert

Learning Specialist- Science

SCIENCE SNAPS

Year 7 Rainbow Lab

Year 8 Cell Models

Year 9 Testing Reflexes