Science News
What a busy term, but we end on a high note with three of our Year 12 students being chosen to be part of a discussion group where only 10 students were chosen from NSW and ACT. A very big congratulations to Amanda Harrison, Imreet Singh and Jasleen Kaur.
I had the pleasure, with my colleagues, Mrs Shannon, Ms De Paoli and Miss Jensen of meeting Michael Richards from kitesite.com.au and also from the University of New South Wales to discuss the solar car competition and the opportunities that we can offer our students. The competition will be open for any student in Year 9 and 10 who intend to study Physics at the senior level and of course the Year 10 Stem class and Year 11 and 12 Physics classes. Ms De Paoli will organise a girls group that will support and encourage girls into studying STEM and Physics. She will send an invitation so that students who are serious about engaging with STEM activities and intend studying Physics will be given the first offer to attend, as spaces will be limited. Staff will also have the opportunity to engage with the pedagogy of teaching STEM and Science and exploring ideas with the resources available.
The Year 12 Chemistry finished up the term with a FIZZ! They made some plastic today and then had a sherbet experience to consider the reactions with acids and carbonates in their mouth. We will consider what can be made with the plastic when they look at the result of their efforts next term.
Year 9 have been dissecting hearts, kidneys and brains this week as they learn about the interaction of the different body systems. One has to marvel at the ingenious design and workings of the human body. The dissections gave students to opportunity to prod, poke and discuss how the animal organs work.
A word from Miss Jensen
Year 7 students were much anticipating making slime in their States of Matter topic this week in Science. A fun reward for the last week of term!
A word from Miss De Paoli
Year 8 science students are currently learning about renewable energy and were challenged with a STEM task to learn how engineers harness the energy of the wind to produce power. They were required to engineer prototypes of model wind turbines, iterating the number of blades and the blade shape, then test to see which generated the most volts.
As Year 10 learn the underpinning Chemistry for senior study and careers in science, they need to develop skills with developing chemical formula and balancing chemical equations. While the periodic table is available always, it is essential to recall names and symbols for many chemicals and how they react. Hopefully, many students are doing a great job of building their brains and understand that decision making is best made on accurate knowledge and deep, well considered thought. I am sure that they will be very well prepared if they study Chemistry next year.
And so we come to the well deserved rest over the term break. We pray that Sydney manages full control of the Covid outbreak and that family and friends are able to do as they have planned.
The Year 12 students will have their heads down studying hard for their final term at Marian and leading in to their HSC exams. Hard work and life style balance are the key.
Congratulations to all students at Marian for an excellent term of learning. Sometimes, you don’t think that you are learning but you are.
Finally, a massive big thank you to the science staff who provide the very best learning experiences and care for students. Life doesn’t slow down for them at 3:30 and I am sure they will be marking and preparing at some time over the break. My personal thanks to them for their dedication, continuous efforts and professional support.
Best wishes for a safe and happy break
Esther Dumbleton
Science Leader of Learning