After an exciting and action-packed Term 2, Term 3 in the Science Department is off to an even busier start. Here are some of the highlights so far, and an exciting sneak peek at what’s still to come.

Science & Engineering Challenge
Students from our Year 9 Creative STEAM Solutions and Year 10 Physics/Chemistry classes recently represented our school at the Annual Science and Engineering Challenge, hosted by the University of Newcastle in partnership with local Rotary clubs, universities, and community sponsors. Competing against eight other local schools, students tackled a range of real-world STEM challenges, including bridge building, circuit design, wind turbine construction, and communication puzzles. It was a fantastic day full of teamwork, creative thinking, and hands-on science in action.

Science Club Launch
This term saw the successful launch of Science Club, a fun and curious space for students across all year levels to explore the wonders of biology, chemistry, physics, and the environment through exciting experiments and investigations.
When: Tuesdays, First Break
Where: Room 3103
All students are welcome!

Year 9 STEM Showdown
Two more of our Year 9 classes took part in the STEM Showdown at Ballarat Tech School earlier this term. In this fast-paced competition, students worked in teams to tackle challenges involving coding, physics, engineering design, and critical thinking. Set in real-world contexts like robotics, space, and environmental science, the event pushed students to think creatively, collaborate effectively, and solve problems under pressure. They rose to the occasion brilliantly.

National Science Week: Week 4 (August 11 to 15)
This year’s National Science Week theme is Decoding the Universe, an exploration of the hidden language of nature through patterns, signals, systems, and codes. We’re celebrating with daily Break 1 activities that bring the theme to life in fun and interactive ways. All staff and students are invited to join in.

The program includes:

Monday: Online Quiz
Put your science smarts to the test. Can you decode questions and find clues the fastest? This challenge will reward quick thinking and sharp pattern-spotting.

Tuesday: STEM Challenges (Science Club in Room 3103)
Use engineering know-how and mathematical reasoning to tackle hands-on challenges. Explore how systems and structures help us understand the physical world.

Wednesday: Annual Periodic Table Challenge (Room 3101)
How well do you know the fundamental building blocks of matter? Mastering the periodic table is like learning nature’s alphabet. Can you recite all 118 elements?

Thursday: Science Escape Room (Room 3103)
Solve a series of mini-experiments and logic puzzles. Work as a team to crack secret codes and uncover hidden scientific principles, just like real-life researchers.

Friday: Movie – Hidden Figures (Room 3101 and 3102)
Come escape the cold and enjoy a film based on the true story of brilliant women who helped decode space travel through mathematics.

What’s Happening in Our Science Classes?
Our Year 7 students are investigating forces and how simple machines make work easier, while Year 8s are uncovering the hidden world operating at a microscopic level. Year 9s are getting a taste of environmental science, exploring the carbon cycle and greenhouse gases, and our Year 10s have launched into their chosen science electives. We’re proud of the curiosity, creativity, and energy our students bring to their learning, and we’re excited to see what discoveries lie ahead this term.

Georgia Nicht
Science Learning Area Leader