While we fully believe that science is everywhere and everything is science, there is nothing like getting back into laboratory coats and nitrile gloves.
Year 11 Chemistry grabbed the opportunity, immediately we were back on site to look at the important analytical techniques - gravimetric analysis, titration and chromatography.
Year 12 was also looking into analytical techniques doing investigations with gel electrophoresis. Year 11 Physics are investigating inertia and other aspects of motion.
Year 10s were able to use our amazing replica fossil skulls to investigate the evolution of hominins. Year 9s are running different programs - some are dissecting kidneys and modelling neurons, some investigating electromagnetism and some investigating acids and bases.
Year 8s are studying optics and vision. There is a display in Centenary Level 1 of some of their optical illusion pieces, which allowed them to investigate the psychology of image construction in the brain. Other classes are catching up on student designed investigations.
Year 7s are finishing up ecosystems and starting to learn about sound and the transfer of energy in waves.
We know that the hands-on learning that takes place in the laboratories builds dexterity, curiosity and courage and the science team are focused on identifying and making up any gaps into 2022.
I would recommend to parents and student in the community a blog post recently republished by Royal Institute of Australia (RiAus) written by Dr Alan Finkel, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, science communicator and Australian Chief Scientist from 2016 - 2020. The post is a response to a question about subject choices for Year 11 and 12, which might not seem timely, but I think that conversations about career paths should be ongoing for our young people. You might expect Alan Finkel to advocate for Science subjects but in fact his advice is very wise. He advocates building choices around English and Maths as "they are best learned, layer upon layer, from prep through to Year 12". He argues that mastering language is crucial to success whatever you do, so he advocates reading..."read a lot, and read some more". He encourages students to continue to be engaged with music and sport - even if they aren't taken as formal subjects; "Music and sport complete us as human beings". And beyond Maths and English, he recommends that students chose subjects that stretch them and offer breadth ... perhaps that's where Science is the ideal path.
A letter to a Year 10 Student from Australia's Chief Scientist
“You are anxious about your subject choices for Years 11 and 12. You’re not alone!"
Susan Long
Science Learning Leader
