FROM THE SCIENCE FACULTY

Science World has been buzzing from Week 1, with our Year 12 students straight back into hands-on learning. Chemistry students launched into practical investigations of metal reactivity, exploring displacement reactions and making links to the electrochemical series. These early experiments will be refined over the coming weeks as students prepare for their IA2 Student Experiment in electrochemistry.

At the same time, Year 12 Biology students are investigating carrying capacity by examining how different sugar concentrations affect yeast population growth. Using our new spectrophotometers, students are tracking population changes over several days, gaining valuable experience with real scientific equipment and data analysis.

Beyond Year 12 Biology and Chemistry, practical science is in full swing across the school. Year 11 Biology students are investigating enzyme activity using liver and hydrogen peroxide, exploring how temperature and other factors influence digestion. Our junior scientists are just as engaged, with Year 9 Science students conducting experiments that build their understanding of conservation of mass through careful measurement and observation. In the first experiment, they mixed two clear solutions that formed a white solid, allowing them to observe how new substances can be produced while measuring whether mass changed. In the second experiment, students reacted an Aspro tablet with vinegar to produce a gas, which allowed them to explore how gases affect mass when they are contained versus when they can escape. These practical activities helped students develop skills in scientific measurement, observation, and safe laboratory techniques.

Our Year 8 scientists have also been developing their microscope skills in their endeavours to explore cells, while our Year 7 Students have received an orientation to the labs and familiarising themselves with the new equipment.