The Science Faculty has welcomed Mrs Kelly Brady, from Mentone Grammar, and the return of Mrs Anita Fernando. Mrs Brady teaches Year 7 Science and Psychology, whilst Ms Fernando teaches Year 9 Science and the Year 7 Honours Program.

Our highly competent laboratory staff have enabled Science teachers to develop a range of activities to enable students to engage in critical and creative thinking. Different methods of scientific inquiry that generate primary data will be utilised by students to solve scientific problems. VCE Biology students are currently investigating the effect of pH changes, alcohol, ionic compound solutions and temperature on the permeability of a beetroot’s cell membrane using a colorimeter. The VCE Chemistry students are preparing biodiesels from vegetable oils, such as canola and olive oil. Students will purify the biodiesel and determine the available energy per gram. The Year 8 students are currently completing a Chemistry escape room activity devised by Miss Vu.

As part of the Science Faculty’s commitment to extra-curricular activities, students will be encouraged to accept invitations to participate in exciting and unique activities throughout 2019. Below are some examples of the opportunities available to students:

• Mardi Bray (Year 12) participated in the National Youth Science Forum in January.
• Year 9 students participated in the ConocoPhillips Science Experience during the holiday break.
• Allison Duong (Year 10), Tingquan (Gloria) Meng (Year 10), Ruby Moir (Year 10) and Tiffany Pham (Year 10) will attend a three-day workshop at the University of Melbourne including investigating DNA extraction, analysis of protein in food and a visit to the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute.
• Lillian Lu (Year 10) and Elodie Ferrali (Year 10) attended Federation University where they investigated DNA sequencing, robotics and DNA sequencing.
• Students will be invited to participate in the Chemistry Olympiad Training Program commencing in March.

The Year 8 Science Honours Program Simple Machines and Hydraulics has begun with Mr Barry, and the Year 7 Science Honours program will commence in Term 2 with Ms Fernando. Scientific investigations are underway across the year levels which will assist students in their understanding of scientific method and design, so they can become better critical thinkers in relation to scientific research.