It is hard to believe that the first term of 2022 is already drawing to an end. Despite the disruptions there has been plenty happening in the science classrooms. The beauty of science is that it provides a framework to answer the interesting and important questions about the world. This term has seen students across all year levels engaging in both the theoretical and practical aspects of science to both formulate and answer some of the questions we have.

Our Year 7 students have immersed themselves with some of the equipment in the laboratory and completed their Bunsen burner licence. As part of their assessment students have worked collaboratively to make predictions and solve problems when looking at filtration techniques.  

This term, the Year 8 students have been studying the rock cycle and how the three main forms of rocks can be transformed from one type to another. As part of the unit students engaged in making crystals and are investigating how the cooling rate effects the size of the crystals and modelled the rock cycle using Starburst. For their assessment they have investigated how scientists in different fields collaborate to solve problems. This has allowed them to research the role of geologists and how an understanding of the rock cycle helps them when working with mining engineers.

Within Year 9 students have explored ecosystems, the relationship that exist within their systems and how energy flows through the system. Students have looked in depth at how human and environmental impacts can benefit or adversely effect the balance within the system and how the system responds to these changes. This week students have been revising their unit concepts ready for their exam in the coming week.

Our varied pathways in Year 10 have seen both the core and extension science classes looking at the role of DNA and genetics when considering simple inheritance. Students were also able to complete an experiment in the laboratory where they isolated and extracted DNA from strawberries. Our Physics and Chemistry elective students have spent the term investigating electricity and how this can be applied in circuits as well as investigating magnetism and the link between the two when considering electromagnetism and solenoids. Finally, our foundation science students looked at Newton’s laws and how the understanding of motion and these laws can help us investigate everyday problems that are discussed in the media. Student’s applied their understanding to explain why rules in sport regarding concussions are important and how using our science knowledge we can prevent further injuries.

Todd Robson

HoD Science 

trobs20@eq.edu.au