The Science curriculum is designed to extend and provide authentic learning experiences across Years 7 to 12.  Each learning experience provides exciting opportunities for students to consolidate their learning and develop a better understanding of scientific skills and processes.

The Year 7 students are truly enjoying working in a science laboratory to develop their scientific skills. Students have been busy learning about laboratory safety, equipment and the scientific method. One of the highlights has been learning how to use the bunsen burner. Students have demonstrated their safe use of bunsen burners and have received their bunsen burner licence, of which they are very proud.

Year 7 will continue to build on their scientific knowledge and skills through the ‘Water Water Everywhere’ topic this term. They will be learning about mixtures and their separation. This will include separating techniques which will be explored via experiments. In Term 2, students will be going on an excursion to the Western Sydney Zoo to enhance their understanding of animal adaptations and classification.

Year 8 students have been busy studying forces and their applications through the topic ‘May the force be with you’. They have been exploring different types of forces in the science labs, through hands-on learning activities such as using magnets. One of the key highlights has been learning about electrostatic forces using a Van De Graaff generator. This surely had their hair rising!

Year 9 students are currently learning about the nervous system in their ‘Living world Topic’.Some of their learning experiences include studying the structure and function of neurons and exploring the human brain. The students explored brain structure by dissecting a sheep’s brain and observing its parts. They also enjoyed creating ‘brain hats’ to gain a better understanding of the various parts and functions of the human brain.

Year 10 students have been ‘on the move’ with their current topic, ‘Motion’. This topic provides them with an insight into Physics as a possible subject choice for their Year 11 studies next year. Students have been learning about speed, velocity and acceleration through various hands-on activities such as using a ticker timer. In Term 2, students will be learning about atoms and chemical reactions to gain insight into Chemistry. This will assist them in deciding whether they would like to pursue Chemistry in Year 11.

On Thursday 23rd February the Year 12 HSC Investigating Science Class went on an excursion to ANSTO at Lucas Heights, accompanied by Mrs Hili and Mr Bates. During this excursion, students were taken on a tour of ANSTO's research facilities including the OPAL research reactor and completed educator-led activities in ANSTO's Discovery Centre. The excursion covered mandatory Knowledge and Understanding content from Module 6: Technologies, Module 8: Science and Society, and Working Scientifically skills from the NSW NESA Stage 6 Investigating Science syllabus. Students completed a workbook on the day and engaged in various activities. The excursion also led the students into further depth studies on nuclear science.

Mrs  Wendy Hili

Year 12 Chemistry students have been exploring organic chemical compounds and its reactions in their Organic Chemistry topic. They had a wonderful opportunity in the science labs to produce an ester, an organic chemical compound used in perfumes and food flavours. Students had fun creating their own ester compounds such as pineapple, peach and banana flavours. It was nice to smell a ‘fruity flavour’ in the science labs for a change!

We are looking forward to many more wonderful learning experiences in Science this year. Some of these include the Big Science competition, Brain Bee Challenge and the Crystal Growing competition. Year 7 will be going for an excursion to the Western Sydney Zoo while Years 8 and 10 will be enjoying a Chemistry incursion at school. We are also looking forward to celebrating National Science Week in Term 3 by engaging in hands-on activities.

Mrs Jeshmin Kumar

Assistant Science Coordinator

Chemistry/Science Teacher