Science & Digi Tech

SCIENCE AWARDS

Across the year the students have had access to many science competitions to consolidate their learning across all fields of science. Most recently, results for both the International Chemistry Quiz and the Australian Science Olympiads were released and we are excited to announce that one of our Year 12 students, Bailey Shield has achieved outstanding results in both of these competitions.  Bailey achieved a High Distinction in the International Chemistry Quiz, and a High Distinction in the Australian Physics Science Olympiads. Both of these competitions test very high level science curriculum and Bailey’s results in both of these prestige competitions  should be celebrated.  

SOLAR BUDDY CHALLENGE - 8C SCIENCE

During the Year 8 Science study of Energy, Sound and Light the students in 8C took part in a philanthropic solar light building program. Students learned the background to the Solar Buddy organisation and how they arrange for the completed solar lights to be distributed in countries with an energy deficit. The 25 lights built by 8C have been shipped off to families for whom fires, or kerosene lamps have been their only illumination after dark. The lights are accompanied by a handwritten letter from the builder to the recipient, wishing them well.

YEAR 10 DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Students in the Year 10 Digital Technologies class have been applying their design and programming skills to build some amazing robots. With two challenges, and varying levels of difficulty, students came up with some ingenious and innovative solutions. There were two line following robots, Paul and Tyler working with the VEX platform and Zak going it alone with Lego NXT. Both builds successfully navigated the track. The second challenge proved more difficult with only one 100% successful team at the time of writing this article. Luke and Caleb managed to design, build and program their robot to collect ping pong balls and fire them over a meter. They should have patented their conveyor mechanism before other teams saw it in action, although they do say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. All groups have tested parts of their robots with success and are confident they’ll cross the finish line.