Science

Certainly, life in 2021 has thrown a few curve balls as our community and countless others around the world cope with sudden changes between onsite and remote learning. 

It is wonderful that students have transitioned between the platforms so smoothly and that teaching staff have adapted to the challenges and tailored work suitable for bursts of off-site learning.

The Earth, Moon and Sun

During Lockdown 4.0 back in June, our Year 7 students were asked to prepare a presentation to explain one aspect relating to the relative movement of the earth, moon and sun. Students could explain in simple terms how this movement leads to our seasons, day and night, eclipses or tides. The students embraced the activity. Here are examples of their work.

Around the Labs

This term, our Year 9 students have been busy connecting electric circuits and exploring how currents and voltage vary when devices are connected in different arrangements. Here are some images of Science brightening up their lives!

Our Unit 2 Chemistry students have been predicting which combinations of solutions will mix to form a solid, or a precipitate, using solubility laws. Here are some photos of the chemists at work!

Year 7 students have started their new topic of Forces and Simple Machines. Students have been challenged to design a toy or machine with moving parts as their major assessment. Students are currently repurposing items from home in the construction of their toys and devices. There has been enormous creativity shown so far, with ideas of mini-golf courses, model roller-coaster, ferris-wheels, vending machines and fun parks. 

The Year 7 students are also the first group to learn about hydraulics, the science of using water to transfer force. They are building machines in class made from wooden pieces, plastic tubing and syringes, that can move. We are excited to see what the students produce and hope they enjoy the hands-on nature of this Engineering topic in our Year 7 course. Here is a set of instructions for one machine!

Jacinta Devlin

Learning Leader: 

Science