Science Update
Term 1
What's Been Happening in Middle School Science?
Year 7 - Science Experiments
Our Year 7's have been learning about lab safety and how to write a science report this term. Students have participated in various experiments to explore what conducting an experiment means.
Check out these pictures of some of our Year 7's participating in the extending lolly snakes experiment.
Year 8 - Cell Models
As part of our 'Cells' unit, our Year 8's were required to think outside the box and get creative for their CAT - students were required to create a cell model of a plant or animal cell that they had been studying about in class.
See below some of these awesome creations from some of our Year 8's!
Year 9 - Dissections
As part of our 'Homeostasis' unit, our Year 9's have been learning about how the body maintains balance to stay alive and the vital organs that help us do this. Students participated in a kidney dissection as well as a brain dissection, and were able to see them up close and personal. Students have also been looking at neurons and how our brain uses these to communicate with the rest of our body to complete everyday activities - our Year 9's got hands-on to build some neurons using modelling clay, pipe cleaners and straws.
These pictures capture some of our Year 9's participating in their dissections and some of the neuron creations that were made.
Robotic Mission to Mars - School Holiday Opportunity
Over the Term 1 holidays, VSSEC are running a FREE program for Years 9 - 12 students at their facility in Strathmore, Victoria.
In this half-day experience students take on the roles of engineers & scientists in a Mission Control Centre where they will direct a real Mars Rover in a highly realistic Mars crater environment.
This is a unique opportunity with limited spaces - the program is supported by the Victorian Government Challenge and Enrichment Series.
This program will suit individual students and friendship groups and is ideal for students who have an interest in space, science, technology or engineering.
If your child is interested in this program you should book their interested students in here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/robotic-mission-to-mars-a-school-holiday-space-experience-tickets-145797627629
As VSSEC is normally closed over the holidays, this is a unique opportunity with limited spaces, so students are encouraged to book in quickly. Most sessions are already booked-out, but there’s some spaces still open on Tuesday 13 April.
by Tiffani Meier
Science Instructional Leader