Science

2019 has started with a flurry

in the Science department! We welcomed out fresh-faced and eager Year 7 students into the school where they were able to learn the ins and outs of the Science lab while operating safely in earning their Bunsen Burner licenses. Our Year 8 students began the year by examining microscopic cells under a microscope, in order to distinguish between animal and plant cells. In Year 9 the Nervous and Endocrine systems have been the focus on their studies with the brain dissection a highlight of most students! The Year 10 Biology and Environmental students have completed a heart and lung dissection, and were treated to a presentation from the Thalassaemia and Sickle Society of Australia during their studies into genetics. The Year 10 Physics and Chemistry students have examined motion and forces by creating model rockets, and have begun looking at different examples of chemical reactions. Our senior students have begun their studies will with SAC’s well underway in VCE Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology.

It is shaping to be a busy and enjoyable year for all students in the Science subject area. Below is a reflection from Martin Barrera Pacheco in 7.9 on how he has viewed the start to his secondary school Science career:

“So far this term in Science we have been given our Bunsen Burner licences. To receive this licence meant we could light a Bunsen burner correctly and safely. We researched a famous scientist and I chose Nikola Tesla. We have also had an assessment about science equipment too. To revise we did lots of activities like word searches, crosswords and matching names of equipment and their uses. By doing these types of activities I think everyone found it more intriguing and easier to remember and learn. We have completed a lot of practical lessons such as heating chocolate and egg whites, analysing data using skittles and finding out about variables when using different flames when investigating ‘How Hot is Hot’. So far this term Science has been amazing!”

The Big Science Competition is upcoming again in May 2019 which is always a highlight for our top Science students from Years 7-10. I look forward to inviting students nominated by their Science teachers to participate and test themselves against others in the state.

Brendan Fordham – Science LAL

Year 7 Report

So far this term in Science we have been given our Bunsen Burner licences. To receive this licence if we lit a Bunsen burner correctly and safely. We researched a famous scientist and I chose Nikola Tesla. We have also had an assessment about science equipment too. To revise we did lots of activities like word searches, crosswords and matching names of equipment and their uses. By doing these types of activities I think everyone found it more intriguing and easier to remember and learn. We have completed a lot of practical lessons such as heating chocolate and egg whites, analysing data using skittles and finding out about variables when using different flames when investigating ‘How Hot is Hot’. So far this Term science has been amazing!

Martin, Year 7.9