Science News

Melbourne Zoo Youth Leadership Program

Next week, two of our students, Cooper and Will of Year 9, will be attending their Graduation Ceremony at the Melbourne Zoo. During Term 2 both students have worked with Zoo staff and other students from schools around Victoria to work on a research project to help reduce the plastic that impact the animals in our environments. We’ll have an update next term after their projects have been presented at graduation day, but we wanted to wish Cooper and Will all the best for next Friday!

(Will L and Cooper L Year 9)

Junior Science Olympiads

Congratulations to a number of our students who participated in the Junior Science Olympiad Examinations this week! This is the most challenging of all exams offered to secondary students and takes two hours to complete – the concepts that are tested are often way beyond what the students have covered in class and are designed to test and identify students who could compete on the world stage. Just participating in such an exam has provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to develop their exam sitting skills, increased their ability to face new and challenging problems and allows them to try something new. I am very impressed with all of the students that joined in and gave it their very best – VSC is proud of you!

Semester Two in Science

As we begin our Semester Two studies, a new group of students begin their Year 10 Science electives of Chemistry, Biology, Psychology and Physics. All Year 7-9 students will continue to study Science with their same class and teacher as these are year-long subjects. 

Our Year 11 VCE students will begin their Unit 2 studies next week. We hope that all students use the recent examination period to help prepare them for Semester 2. It might be a good time to review study habits, revision tools and put in new strategies to improve on their outcomes for the remainder of the year. Remember, we as your science staff are here to help; you just need to reach out and ask! 

As our Year 12 VCE students start their Unit 4 studies, we want to remind them that they should look after themselves over the upcoming term break – it is important to rest up and prepare yourselves for the business that is Term 3. Use the holiday break to not only read ahead and prepare for the content that is covered in Unit 4, but also make certain that you schedule in some time to rest and relax. 

Youth ANZAAS 2023 – Congratulations Erina!

These school holidays will see our very own Erina M of Year 12 participating in the Youth ANZAAS program. Erina was selected from a number of participants across the state to stay at the University of Melbourne for a week during the term break. We wish Erina all the best and look forward to hearing about her adventures with this exciting opportunity!

What is Youth ANZAAS?

Youth ANZAAS is an annual residential international forum for science students in Years 10 to 12. Every year, students from each State and Territory are selected to participate in science activities and experiences over a period of a week. The program involves behind-the-scenes tours, lectures with leading scientists, hands-on research and cutting-edge technology. Students will visit institutions such as the Department of Defence Research facility, RMIT and Melbourne University, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical research and the Melbourne Museum.

Who organises Youth ANZAAS?

Youth ANZAAS 2023 is organised by the Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (ANZAAS) and the Royal Society of New Zealand and receives financial support from the Federal Department of Education.

Erina M (Year 12)

ICAS Science Assessment

The ICAS Science Assessment has been advertised in a few newsletters already this term and you may have seen the most recent Compass post go up last week. If you are interested in participating in any of the ICAS assessments, please follow the instructions on Compass and if possible, have this done by the end of the term so that teachers for each subject area can organise rooms and Compass events. 

For any other questions relating to Science ICAS, please contact Ms Green via email: greent@vermontsc.vic.edu.au