Year 7

Students in Year 7 have really settled into working scientifically in the science labs learning to collaborate and work effectively together to develop their understanding of the states of matter and investigating their properties.

On Thursday 30 May, all Year 7 students will be attending a compulsory excursion to Shoalhaven Zoo. This excursion is part of their current science unit on Biology where students will be examining animal adaptations and relating these to the animals’ natural environment.

Year 8

Students are using modeling to understand the Geological processes involved in the formation of Conglomerate rocks.

Students have also looked to understand how to harness the energy of the sun to make chocolate coated marshmallows, within the renewable energies topic.

Year 8 are now embarking on a chemistry unit of work and this week have a chemistry show attending the school to further inspire their learning in Science.

Year 9

Students undertaking Environment studies are investigating sustainable housing, whilst considering the effect of the built environment on the nature and available resources.

Students are exploring the connectivity between geology and chemistry by modelling the processes within volcanic eruptions in a safe learning environment.

Year 10

Students in Year 10 are fast approaching subject selection for stage 6 in 2020 and have this year sampled a unit of work in all of the sciences so that they may be better situated to make their subject selections.

Year 10 students will have the opportunity next week to explore the universe with a Planetarium visit to St John’s, spending about an hour exploring the universe to enhance their space topic. Students will also complete an assessment task based on this theme, with many students already commenced upon their research task.

Year 11

Biology students investigated Australia’s ancient past and tracked a myriad of changes to its native flora and fauna as a result of climate change. On the Mt Keira escarpment our students explored the complex structure of an ancient rainforest remnant.

Examining the diversity and distribution of rainforest trees and epiphytes, before undertaking an in-depth analysis of the Moreton Bay Fig and the Fig wasps.

Earth and Environmental Science students are investigating soil composition and soil chemistry through a series of testing regimes in preparation of future fieldwork in a number of locations around the Shoalhaven and further afield.

Year 12

Depth study completed investigating Genetic disease followed by investigating sickle cell (blue gel with pink bands) and cancer genes  (dark gel with yellow bands) using gel electrophoresis to explore the inheritance patterns of Mendelian genetics. Year 12 Biology students will be participating in a learning experience at the University of Sydney on this excursion, students will learn about the importance of biotechnology in several aspects of our society including medicine, agriculture and industry. Students will be given an introductory tutorial on genetic modification, bacterial transformation and research performed at the University of Sydney.

Earth and Environmental students modelling the science behind the enhanced greenhouse effect, sometimes referred to as climate change or global warming. This practical demonstrates the impact on the climate from the additional heat retained due to the increased amounts of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that humans have released into the earth’s atmosphere since the industrial revolution.

Mr Charlie Coulson-Knight
Science Coordinator

Engineering

During the holidays, James Doosey and I participated in the Cochlear Autumn School of Engineering Program at UTS from 15-18 April. The week consisted of 4 University trips to UNSW, UTS, University of Sydney and Macquarie University where they ran us through engineering activities and gave us a tour of the engineering departments at each of the universities. We also visited various engineering industries such as ANSTO, Royal

Australian Air Force, Cochlear and Transport NSW with a tour around Central station and presentation on the new monorail system in Sydney. One night we were even able to meet young engineers and ask them questions about their jobs and what it was like studying engineering at Uni. The week was beneficial as it allowed us to learn more about engineering, the variety of jobs within the field and allowed us to meet like-minded people from all over NSW. I would highly recommend this program for future students with interests in science and engineering.   

Darcy Tay
Year 12