Science News 

It has been a very busy start to the school year.

Welcome to all the Year 7 students who are working hard to gain their Bunsen Burner Licence and become familiar with the labs and the equipment that we use.

Next week, all classes will be completing a literacy booklet to improve their comprehension. This is part of a whole College focus on comprehension with the Gr8T comprehension program.  Students will be asked to work independently so that teachers can gain a better understanding of their literacy needs and when completed, each student will be awarded a Certificate of Completion 

Year 8 have been working on energy and electricity. 8.1 made a lemon battery with green lemons supplied by Natalia Salvestro which were pretty good lemons because all groups got their LED to light up. Next week they will be very busy with literacy and they will also harvest some rockmelon seeds so that they have them available to germinate when they start their Growing and multiplying unit.

Year 9 have been learning about Chemistry so they have had an introduction to the periodic table and the elements that make up our physical world. The Science Teachers Association is developing some great video resources and they have just released Atoms and Molecules.  These can be viewed at https://www.generationgenius.com/#6-8-lessons

Year 10 have been studying Genetics.  10B class isolated DNA from green split peas and it was a light bulb moment for one student who finally understood that all living things, even a small green split pea, has DNA in each of its cells.  It is always very rewarding as a Teacher when you see that the students understands and can marvel at the intricacies of the order of nature.

Year 11 Physics were amazed when they calculated very accurately, the speed of sound.  They are now getting ready for their first Depth Study where they will manufacture a harp or a flute and research the production and physics of sound waves to make music.

Year 11 Biology have been on an excursion to the Lake today to examine the local ecosystem and see first hand, the importance of biotic and abiotic factors that affect the health of the system. 

Year 11 Biology

On Friday 21 February Yr 11 Biology students participated in a field trip to study Lake Wyangan and Campbell's swamp. Under the instruction of Tom and Chris, Environmental and surveying officers from Griffith city council, students conducted water quality tests and observed bird life. They considered the impact of agriculture and climate on both sites and will research and report on recommendations to improve the site health and future use of the Lake and surroundings. 

Best wishes for a wonderful term.

Mrs Dumbleton and Ms De Paoli

Science Department