Year 12 Investigating Science

This term, Year 12 Investigating Science students have been studying the ‘Fact or Fallacy’ module which involves analysing and evaluating what and how science is portrayed to society, and whether data has been manipulated or selected in a way to mislead the public. Students have had the opportunity to design and carry out investigations to test claims made by specific brands to make sure that we as the public are not being misled. The claims tested in our laboratory included:

• Does Coke No Sugar actually have no sugar?
• Does Panadol Rapid actually dissolve faster than other Panadol tablets?
• Does Nesquik actually have less sugar than other chocolate powder brands?
• Do Stayfree pads actually hold in all of the moisture?
• Does hand sanitiser actually get rid of 99.9% of germs?

Each investigation was researched and designed by students, and in all of the cases, students did find the claims to be accurate - to the dismay of some students hoping to present their research to a courtroom.

Year 10 Chemistry

Students in Year 10 have been studying chemistry this term, in particular the different types of chemical reactions and how they are applicable to everyday life. This term, students have been able to engage in some practical tasks investigating and observing chemical reactions such as endothermic and exothermic reactions, the law of conservation of mass, acids and bases (neutralisation), and will continue the term with reactions such as metals and acids, acids and carbonates, precipitation, decomposition and combustion reactions. 

Year 9 Physics

This term, Year 9 students have been investigating electricity. Students have been learning about series and parallel circuits, as well as both collaboratively and independently building electrical circuits under the guidance and supervision of our Science teachers. It has been great to see students using their skills to build circuits and exercising their critical thinking skills when trying to solve problems, such as trying to build a circuit where three light globes have their own switch independent of the other switches.

Year 8 Ecology

Year 8 students have been learning about food chains and webs, and how delicate ecosystems are if any change occurs. In particular, students have been investigating how the excess use of plastic is negatively impacting various ecosystems, and collaboratively creating presentations such as 3D posters, dioramas, models and reenactments of these negative impacts on different ecosystems. This task is due in Week 7, so we are excited to see the final products of the various presentations students have been working on - keep an eye out for the next newsletter for some examples!

Year 7 Chemistry

Students in Year 7 have been learning about chemistry in terms of solutions, mixtures, and types of separation techniques. Year 7 have conducted some practical investigations as they practised separating mixtures by decantation and filtration. Lately however, students have been focusing their time on solving a problem - if a diamond ring was flushed down the toilet, where is the most likely place it could be found? Year 7 students have been creating a presentation explaining the different processes involved in sewage treatment, relating to the separation techniques they have studied in class, and collaboratively coming to a conclusion as to where this diamond ring may be.

Overall students at St Andrews have been busy in Science using their problem solving and critical thinking skills, while working in highly collaborative environments. We hope that our students continue to be curious about the world around them, and recognise that science is everywhere!

Mrs Carmela Hollero

Assistant Leader of Learning Science