Science

Science Outreach Program

Tuesday 12th of September saw some of our Year 9 and 10 students attend the LaTrobe University Science Outreach program. This provided students with the opportunity to investigate some real world applications of STEM.

ICT and Beyond, and Launch into ICT students attended the ‘It’s A Small World With Big Possibilities’ Program, involving information about the cabling system on the ocean floor that is used for communication between different countries around the world and online methods to trace the quickest communication route between two locations around the world. Students also looked at a threat map, which identifies the transmission of Trojans and worms around the world. Importantly, students were also made aware of some possible ways that threats could enter onto their own devices and the actions to put in place to avoid them. Methods of our own data security were discussed making the students more conscious of what data about themselves they enter on popular sites such as Facebook and what could happen if the information got into the wrong hands. Then there was a discussion of the possible ways that we could implement technology and networks within our homes, with the major issue of security in mind. Students learned some Java programming as well.

Psychology students attend the ‘Reading Minds and Detecting Lies’ program. They learnt how science helps in mindreading and detecting deception! Students engaged in interactive exercises to foster scientific values and an interest in the scientific method as a means of answering puzzling questions about the human brain, mind, behaviour and experience.

The remaining students chose between the “Curiosity Bot” and “What’s in Shampoo?” programs. Those attending Curiosity Bot found out more up the applications of Engineering in Science including 3D printing and finding out about the revolutionary world of robots while testing an all-terrain, wireless controlled robot platform inspired by the Mars Rover ‘Curiosity’. Students in the, What’s in Shampoo? session had the opportunity to make their own shampoo, while learning about the purpose of the ingredients they were including.

Students enjoyed the opportunity that was provided to them as a part of the Better Together Alliance and LaTrobe University Outreach.

Microsoft Office 365 for Education

As of term 4, Wanganui Park Secondary College will be using Office 365 Education in the classroom. Office 365 is an internet based service provided by Microsoft for educational purposes only for use on up to five devices, including iPads and home computers. This comes at no cost for the length of each student’s secondary education. It provides students and teachers with access to online services such as email, calendar, blogging, online document storage (for school work), sharing, messaging and video-conferencing facilities from school and at home.

To enable your child to sign-in and access these online services, Microsoft require access to your child’s EduPass username, first name and last name, year level and school.

You may request that our school not provide this information to Microsoft, and opt-out your child from using Office 365 for Education. As a result, your child will not have access to the online services. Should you wish to opt-out your child using Office 365 for Education, please contact the school for the Opt-Out Form. Complete and return the form before the 20th of October (end of Week 2, Term 4). After this date, all students who have not returned a completed Opt-Out Form will be provisioned for Office 365 for Education.

Science Experience Opportunity for Year 9/10 Students – 29th of November to 1st of December

We have been offered 4 places for the ConocoPhillips Science Experience at Dookie College, which will be paid for by the Fairley Foundation. This would be an amazing opportunity for our students to take advantage of. This program would allow students to join scientists and agricultural students in hands on activities in the laboratory and paddock, investigating real world issues.

For more information please see https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/

Interested Year 9 and 10 students should send Mrs. Beattie a message via Xuno outlining in 50 words or less why they would like to be given this opportunity.

Expressions of interest should be submitted no later than Friday 13th October.