Science
Big lab gets a facelift
by Louie Pittas
Teacher of Chemistry and Physics
Some great modifications have occurred in the Big Lab thanks in part to our facilities staff Greg and Rob.
The School has a new prep room where our lab technician - Sanchari - is now situated; taking over the small canteen has allowed the School to totally revamp this area and a new fume hood, sink and work space were added.
The Big Lab has undergone some great renovations also with a large modern fume hood added, along with an emergency shower installed in the back corner. The room has been de-cluttered and brightened up with a new paint job. New stool chairs with backs have been purchased and are awaiting arrival; overall our students have been excited with the positive changes in Science classrooms.
Both the VCE and IB students have had a good start to the year, are focused on their studies and working well towards achieving their goals. Two new teaching staff in the Science faculty - Sophie and Tash - have been welcome additions and students are responding well to them and enjoying their teaching styles. Much is happening in all classes and staff are supporting each other to achieve the outcomes for a good well-balanced Science course.
Science scene
YEAR 8: Unit on Energy
by Sophie Maxwell
Students have been learning about energy, exploring its different forms and transformations. Our unit culminated in a ‘policy pitch’ to the Australian government where students convinced the government to invest in different forms of renewable energy. They created podcasts, documentaries, presentations and infographics. Staff were very impressed with the students’ critical and creative thinking and the way they used science to solve real-life problems.
YEAR 7: Unit on Being A Scientist
by Natasha Prewett
Students have been learning about the scientific method via the 'Gummy Bear Challenge.' Each student devised an experiment to test the effect of soaking gummy bears in water, vinegar, salt, sugar, milk or soy sauce. The bears soaked for 60 hours before being tested for changes in size, texture, ability to bounce and loss of colour. Students then wrote a scientific report to communicate their findings and made a time-lapse video to watch the bears change overnight. (Thanks to Matt Barker for his help in setting up the camera.)
YEAR 9: Unit on Ecology - The World Around Us
by Victor Toufas
This term students have been studying the relationships (and balancing the interaction) between the environment and human needs and how this may affect global biodiversity. Under the concept of the natural environment’s importance to our communities, students have looked at what is meant by the term 'environment', what the difference is between an ecosystem and an environment and how nutrients are cycled in ecosystems. Discussions have taken place about whether, on earth, the changes caused by human activities are bigger than those caused by past geological events, if solutions for limiting environmental problems create new challenges and whether ecological sustainability is possible. The study continues.
YEAR 10: Unit on Genetics
by Victor Toufas
The key concept of our current studies is change and how adaptation and progress lead to change and consequences on the environment. We have looked at what is inside a cell and whether it can divide, what are genes, what is DNA, what is inheritance, what are genetic diseases and whether genetic technology is advancing. We have been debating whether money is well spent in further developing genetic technology and if that, in turn, harms the human race.