Physics at Luna Park

On Friday 10 March, the VCE Physics classes attended the Luna Park Physics Day which is organised each year by the Australian Institute of Physics. VCE students from schools across Victoria attend this function in order to experience high speed forces and circular motion. Attendees were also treated to a stunning aerobatic display by one of the Australian Air Force Roulettes. Students investigated the forces involved in different types of collisions in the ‘dodgem’ cars as well as dealing with some pretty wild steering. They experienced ‘free fall’ on the Shock Drop and the effect of centripetal force on the G-Force ride. A great time was had by all including the teachers, Mr Barry, Mr Brown and Ms Stevens.

Propagation, Education, Conservation and Exploration Program (PECE Program)

In 2012, the commitment of the students to the Melbourne Zoo Orangutan Browse Plantation Project attracted the attention of the Orchid Species Society of Victoria. The Society has continued to work collaboratively with the St Catherine’s Science Faculty to develop a pilot program entitled the Propagation, Education, Conservation and Exploration Program (PECE Program). The aim of the program is to counteract the depletion of native orchids in areas within Australia and Asia. Students will apply scientific methods to grow orchids from seeds. This requires aseptic techniques and constant care on behalf of the students. Students will investigate the evolution, geographical distribution, classification, structure and pollination of orchids. Students will also investigate the destruction of habitat and conservation of orchids.

This week, Dr John Varigos, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at Monash University and member of the Victorian Orchid Society, met with our Year 8 students and presented on his trip to Borneo, where the clearing of the habitat is leading to the endangerment of orchids. Dr Varigos guided the students in the identification of orchids and the biological adaptations of the orchid to promote pollination. The students dissected a Camellia and a Vanda Orchid to identify the different structural features. During Term 2, students will prepare agar for the cultivation of new orchid seeds and plant the orchid tubers grown by the 2018 Year 8 students.

DrJohn Varigos, Brydie Read, Audrey Kyriakou, Lily Taylor and Freya Cantwell.

University of Melbourne Chemistry Research Experience for Teachers (ChREfT)

ChREfT is a professional development program for Chemistry teachers that embeds teachers in research laboratories within the School of Chemistry at the University of Melbourne so that they can participate in a frontier research project.

In 2018, I was invited to apply for ChREfT. My application was endorsed by the chair of the RACI Victoria (Royal Australian Chemical Institute) Education Committee. My application was successful and I was invited to work with Dr Wallace Wong, Chief Investigator and Research Theme leader in the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science located at Bio21.

After meeting with Dr Wong and staff, we agreed that I would work with Dr Andrew Tilley to design a simple chemiluminescence kit to be used by students. Dr Tilley is a research fellow investigating light organic materials for solar cells. During December 2018 and February 2019, I worked with Dr Tilley to investigate the synthesis of divanillyl oxalate and the subsequent chemiluminescence procedure.

The experimental investigation will be trialled with teachers at the next RACI Chemistry Teachers’ Professional Development Conference.

Chemiluminescence reaction.