NEWS BLOG – Maths/Science

Maths/Science 

YEAR 7 SCIENCE

This term the year 7 students are studying simple machines and forces in science.

Students created non-contact electrostatic force fields by rubbing objects together. They used this force to alter the direction of a stream of flowing tap water and to pick up pieces of paper. Students then applied their understanding of electrostatics to explain everyday situations such as how the friction from jumping on a trampoline produces an electrostatic charge that can make their hair stand on end.

Year seven science students used magnets to investigate the effect that non-contact magnetic force fields have on objects.  They were able to direct the magnetic force to suspend magnets above other magnets and attract metallic objects such as paper clips and measure the force of this attraction.

Students investigated how contact forces such as pushes and pulls can start, stop, change the shape of objects and alter their direction of motion.  They experimented with a rubber band force meter that they built to pull objects across a surface, recorded their measurements and wrote a scientific report on their findings.

Students are learning about the seven different types of simple machines and how these machines make work easier.  They are investigating levers, ramps, wedges, screws and wheels and axels and how pulleys make it easier to raise loads.

YEAR 8 SCIENCE

The year 8 students are currently studying chemistry. This includes learning about solids, liquids and gases as well as chemical reactions and the periodic table. We are looking forward to observing many different chemical reactions in the coming weeks!

CORE UPDATE

Each CoRE class will be participating in a field trip in Week 9, where the Year 7 students will go to Karigini and the Year 8 and 9 will be going to Milli Milli.

The Year 9 CoRE class have been designing Biodomes for human habitation of Mars and the energy sources required to power such an enterprise. Their Biodome construction is a key point in the possibility of humanity mining resources in outer space.

YEAR 10 SCIENCE

The Year 10’s have been exploring the elements and the groups that make up the Periodic Table. From the highly reactive group One Alkali Metals to the unreactive inert Noble gas group 18 and how the electron configurations contribute to the element’s properties.

YEAR 11 HUMAN BIOLOGY

The Year 11 Human Biology group have been studying the human reproductive system and the development of human life from the early stages of the zygote to the embryonic form. Students recently conducted a rat dissection where they identified key body systems including the reproductive system.” Bloody good fun.

MATHS UPDATE

The students are over halfway through Term 4. Many of the Mathematics staff are practising Explicit Direct Instruction (EDI) strategies to support engagement and participation in this subject. Student achievement is gradually improving as a result of this practice.  The students are all working on Algebra and Number at the moment and they have just completed Angles and shapes in Geometry.  Mental Maths is given regularly either during class or for homework. The purpose of Mental Maths is to encourage quick recall of key information and this is done without the use of calculators.

The 10.1 class had Mrs Devenyns come and give them an in-depth tutorial on how to use graphics calculators. This was in preparation for ATAR mathematics subjects next year. The students were very engaged and enjoyed testing out all the different functions.

AMT (Australian Mathematics Trust)

Early in July, 18 students participated in the Australian Mathematics Trust competition and we are eagerly waiting for the results. Thank you to those students who took up the challenge.

Ms Teneisha Anderson

BSc (Nutrition)

Grad. Dip. Secondary Education