2011 School Magazine

The Extreme Science Experience Held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at South Bank, the Extreme Science Experience was an opportunity for lucky Year 10 girls to meet successful scientists from a broad range of fields including geologists, metal detector developers and cancer researchers. Morning tea was followed by a workshop in which we were challenged to create our own miniature engine from only a battery, a piece of wire and a magnet. We discovered how audio speakers work and how to use metal detectors. Following a delicious lunch we attended a biology-based workshop, which had us creating DNA patterns from lego blocks and discovering the functions of the human cell in minute detail. It was inspiring to hear so many talented and passionate scientists speak about their particular field with such enthusiasm. The day opened my eyes to a whole range of sciences that I had no idea about

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Dovid Fleag. Wildlife -Pork

I Emma Nihil1 (100) I

During Term 111 the Year 8 cohort undertook an excursion to the David Fleay Wildlife Park at Currumbin as an extension of the Biology unit. Throughout the day we participated in a variety of Interesting activities under the expert guidance of the wildlife park rangers. We enjoyed a nature walk through the park and saw numerous native animals including yellow-bellied gliders, kangaroos, freshwater and estuarine crocodiles and a highly- endangered bridled nail-tall wallaby. We came to understand how delicate the mangrove ecosystem is and how to classify different types of mangrove species. Finally we experienced an 'up close' wildlife presentation on the tawny frogmouth owl, squirrel glider and a number of native Australian snakes. We had a lot of fun, and learnt about many animals and their adaptations to survive in the environments in which they live

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I Gabriella Palm (8L) And Mimi Goodman (8L) I

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Biofutures

In Iuly, I and a group of senior high school students from around Australia and New Zealand participated in a biotechnology and bioengineering forum, BioFutures. We stayed on campus at Women's College, University of Queensland, and during the week we were immersed in workshops in the extensive science faculties at three university campuses, UQ, QUT Garden's Point and Griffith University on the Gold Coast. Each day we attended several lectures on topics ranging from the 'dangerous journey' of drugs from the laboratory to the market, to the practical application of forensic science in identifying victims of the Boxing Day tsunami in Thailand. My two favorite activities were the lamb's brain dissection at Griffith University and the urgent biohazard contamination case we solved at UQ, decked out in protective gear. BIOFutures highlighted how far science research has come regarding issues such as tissue engineering, stem cell research and gene therapy. We also participated in a mock UN summit where we tackled the controversy surrounding the availability of antibiotics and genome sequencing. The six day camp was an action-packed and exciting preview Into the numerous possibilities for studying science at university

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