SCIENCE

YEAR 11 PHYSICS EXCURSION TO THE AUSTRALIAN SYNCHROTRON-

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

We visited The Australian Synchrotron, which we found out to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. It was a fascinating experience and we learned a lot about the uses and the important nature of the impressive technology. The synchrotron is a particle accelerator that speeds up electrons to 99.98% of the speed of light; used to produce brilliant (very bright) light in the form of x-rays used for many areas of study. From areas such as medical research to uncovering and reconstructing images of covered paintings.

Overall, I found this excursion very insightful and I am grateful for the opportunity we were given to see it.  Emma Farrell

The excursion was a trip travelling to the Synchrotron and learning all about how it was made, how it operates and all its uses. The Synchrotron showed us all the benefits it has brought. This information is still with me today and has started some great conversations with my dad who had no idea what I was talking about. I am extremely glad that we had the opportunity to find out about the Synchrotron and definitely changed the way that I view many different things even down to the rice that I eat. Another example is its ability to show 3D photographic imaging of skeletal bones and fossils. As well as being able to show the blood flow and heart rate within living things which was one of the things which I found to be the most interesting and I can't wait to see the advancements it makes further down the track. Jean-Pierre Du Toit

The excursion to the Synchrotron was not only interesting, but also insightful. The Synchrotron is a particular type of cyclic particle accelerator, in which the accelerating particle beam travels around a fixed closed-loop path. The excursion reinforced our knowledge of the physics concepts we had learnt in the classroom, and also allowed us to firsthand witness an important piece of technology which is used for crucial scientific discovery and advancement. Our excursion consisted of first understanding how the Synchrotron accelerated electrons to almost the speed of light, and then we undertook a tour of the 10 different beamlines inside the Synchrotron, where the fascinating uses of each beamline were explained to us. Yifan Yang

At the synchrotron, we looked at the southern hemisphere’s biggest particle accelerator and the ways in which it is used and has been in the past to help scientists around the world expedite their experiments. The Australian synchrotron fires electrons into a booster ring which accelerates the electrons as close to the speed of light as possible. These electrons are then used at 10 different stations around the circular structure to convert the electrons into light which gives users the ability to examine and take images such as 3D x-rays, discovering the elemental components of an object and much more. Nick Paizis

YEAR 10 ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY EXCURSION TO DEAKIN

On Wednesday 10 October, our Year 10 environmental class went on an excursion to Deakin University, where we learnt about the Environmental and Science programs that are offered there. We got to test out some of the things we've been learning about in the classroom by doing a variety of activities throughout the day, such as water testing, radio tracking, animal identification and navigating using a GPS.

After a short lunch, we got to have some fun, and made our own ice cream using liquid nitrogen, with oreos and plenty of toppings, followed by a short demonstration of the effects of liquid nitrogen on everyday objects and foods. Even after our ice cream, we stopped at maccas on the way back to school, the perfect way to end a really fun day!

Thanks so much to Miss Andrieux for taking us on this amazing day and being an all round legend!

Izzy Rake

Year 10 Student