SCIENCE 

It’s been a tough couple of years for everyone and missing out on almost 1 year's worth of lab time made it extra tough for both Science teachers and students alike. It has been a great relief to get back into the classroom in 2022, and more importantly, the lab, so the focus has been on completing practicals and engaging our mini scientists back in the classroom! We have also been lucky enough to have our wonderful teachers organise some excursions to Monash University so our students can experience how practicals are completed after school.  

Below are some examples of the fun practicals, competitions and excursions students experienced this term.  

The entire Year 7 Cohort took part in the Australian Science Innovations, ‘Big Science Competition’. This multiple choice test focuses on how students can use their science knowledge and critical thinking skills to solve problems. The Big Science Competition can also lead to big opportunities for the students, such as prizes (Amay Tailor in 7G won an iPad!) and the Australian Science Olympiads. The Australian Science Olympiads are open to any students in Years 7-10 if they would like to be a part of it (there is a post on Compass with instructions of how to enter)! 

Year 7 Students also completed the ‘egg drop’, which is where our students wear their creative hats and have to design a device that will protect an egg from a 3 metre fall!  They are also given a budget to add an extra challenge to this task. See images below to see if the eggs survived their journey.  

The Year 10 Experimental Science classes went to Monash University in Parkville. In this hands-on and fun workshop students applied covalent bonding principles to the design of medicines. Students built complex 3D molecules and used web-based tools and 3D models to visualise the importance of molecular shape and drug specificity.  Students also participated in team activities that allowed them to attempt to solve the challenges faced by pharmaceutical scientists and pharmacists every day. 

Well done to all the students, teachers and families for remaining engaged and enthusiastic throughout this roller-coaster of a term! 

By Arabella Thompson

Science Domain Leader