Secondary News
Carwatha College
Year 7 Science- Working Like A Scientist Experiment
Egg Drop: Students were required to work in a team and using knowledge from science to design and make a device to protect an egg while it was falling from aproximately two metres height. Students had fun learning in Science participating in the egg drop.
Kong Chan
Year 9 Science - Flame Test Experiement
Students were required to describe how electrons fill up an atom around the nucleus and explain how electrons can cause different materials give out different flame colour when they burned. This experiment was educational and the students gained a foundation and base for Science studies in readiness for VCE Science.
Year 9 Phillip Island Excursion
On Thursday September 7, students in Yr 9 attended an excursion to the Phillip Island Nature Park as part of their science Unit on Ecosystems. They braved the cold to learn about the world-famous ‘Little penguins’ (formerly known as Fairy Penguins). Students learnt about the diet, breeding and adaptations of Little penguins and also what threatens their survival. Students then went for a walk on a nearby beach and discussed the consequences of litter and oil spills on our marine life, and how to protect our marine life. I congratulate students on their focus and behaviour on a very cold (but luckily not rainy) day!
Kyla Crawford
Year 11 Biology - Pedigree Charts
On Thursday August 31, students in the Yr 11 Biology class participated in an activity about the inheritance of genetic traits. Students have previously learnt about alleles, genotypes, phenotypes and Meiosis. In pairs, the task was to fill in a sheet to create a Pedigree Chart, by following instructions. The activity was a simulation of Meiosis and how during fertilisation, alleles are randomly passed onto our offspring. The task focused on heart disease as a genetic disorder and the fact that more than one variety of allele can be inherited from our parents for many genetic disorders. Students showed good comprehension skills, teamwork and the ability to analyse information.
Kyla Crawford
Year 11 Biology - Reebop Activity
On Thursday August 24, students in the Yr 11 Biology class participated in an activity about the inheritance of genetic traits. Students learnt about alleles, genotypes, phenotypes and hybrids. In pairs, the task was to build an imaginary animal called a ‘Reebop’ by randomly selecting alleles for certain traits. These alleles were then ‘passed from parent to offspring’. Some of the traits of the ‘Reebop offspring’ were represented by edible materials, such as marshmallows. Students then answered questions based on this activity and ate the left-over lollies! I congratulate students on their creative and critical thinking, their cooperation with each other and their enthusiasm.
Kyla Crawford
Yr 12 Biology GTAC Excursion
On Monday September 4, students in the Yr 12 Biology class went on an excursion to GTAC (the Gene Technology Access Centre) in Parkville, to undertake experiments involving DNA manipulation tools and techniques. In class, students had previously learnt about genetically modified organisms and experimental procedures such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction), gel electrophoresis and bacterial transformation. Before the experiments began, students did some hands-on activities in groups, led by the staff at GTAC. They then set up and ran a gel electrophoresis and performed a bacterial transformation. Students enjoyed these activities, learnt lots of new things and it re-enforced their knowledge about DNA manipulation techniques, which is the basis of the final SAC of the Yr 12 Biology course.
Kyla Crawford