Science
Science Report
One of the areas we missed the most over the last two years has been a full program of practical investigations. So it has been fantastic to see our students being able to complete the full program of practical work and develop all of the hands-on and investigation skills required of junior scientists. It is also a much better learning experience when your predictions are challenged by experiments that don’t quite produce what was expected.
We also have all junior students following the lead of their VCE students and using an experimental log-book. This is a book just for recording the results of their investigations, whether they are real experiments, simulated or 2nd hand data collected through research. This is what real scientists do, and as well as being safer because they never leave the classroom it ensures that if there is an accident while experimenting they don’t lose their notes as well. It has been great to see so much improvement in these in such a short time this term and I’m looking forward to even better things in term 2.
Mr John Healy
Science Coordinator
Senior Biology
Students studying Biology in Year 11 and 12 recently enjoyed a trek into the city to visit the Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC) located on the grounds of University High, right next to Melbourne University.
Whilst at GTAC, students had the opportunity to become immersed in the world of biotechnology as they applied gene cloning techniques used in protein production (more specifically, the production of human insulin help treat Type 1 Diabetes). Not only did they learn how biotech companies produce human insulin (funnily enough named Humulin) but they got to partake in practical activities, performing a number of treatments and diagnostic tests to test whether insulin had been produced. Students were able to use high tech scientific technologies such as gel electrophoresis and fluorescence microscopy to analyse and view DNA and bacteria that are used in the process of producing insulin.
Furthermore, our budding young biologists were paired with research students from the University of Melbourne who are currently completing their PhDs in various cancer research.
Can’t get more authentic learning than this!
The next day in class, students were still buzzing from the experience and they all can’t wait to go back to GTAC again in Term 3 to partake in another amazing day of learning!
Ms Emma Rooke
Biology Teacher
Robotics Excursion
On Thursday 31 March, Year 9 and Year 10 students attended a science excursion to the ‘Generate 22 Robotics Conference’, at Box Hill TAFE, Lilydale Campus.
Students were treated to an exciting EXPO that explored robotics and A.I. (Artificial Intelligence), with exhibits demonstrating the vast array of technological developments and applications in modern industries. Stalls were presented by companies from the local area, and students were able to ask questions of industry experts and interact with the technologies on show.
Students observed a lecture from a Melbourne-based company, that uses drone technology to deliver medicine to remote areas in countries all over the world! Our Scoresby Secondary students were then tasked with competing in a friendly competition – with other attending schools – programming robotic vehicles to navigate an obstacle course.
Both our Scoresby teams collaborated professionally and maturely, with one of our teams winning 2nd place in the Grand Final! Congratulations to Emma Foden and Heath Agar on their team-work and performance!
Donovan Lawrence
Science Teacher