Around The College

National Science Week

National Science Week, the annual celebration of all things science in Australia, was commemorated across the week 12th to 26th August. To both promote and celebrate this significant occasion within our Brentwood school community, the staff from our Science Faculty hosted a range of pHun science demonstrations/hands-on activities during this celebratory week’s lunchtimes aimed at reminding and/or fostering an increased appreciation, among all our students, of the fun and excitement that commonly accompanies scientific endeavour.

During the week-long program, students were invited to participate in a physics workshop involving a gold leaf electroscope, magical ferro fluid and plasma ball, and a variety of activities that included the making of bouncy balls, slime, sherbet, and matchstick rockets. They were also given the opportunity to participate in a problem-solving role play where, as NASA Ground Controllers, they were required to complete a series of online challenges to help an astronaut escape his failing spacecraft. Memorable highlights of the week included one of our resident science thrill seekers (teacher) setting methane bubbles on fire, and making some unfortunate gummy bears wail through the application of a ‘little’ heat.

Overall, this year’s Science Week activities were greeted by our students with a high level of enthusiasm, and a remarkable willingness to take on the various challenges presented to them that validated the significant effort of the Science Faculty in presenting this year’s program.

Many thanks to all involved!

Suzanne Emerton, Head of Science