2015 School Magazine

SCIENCE YEAR 7 SCIENCE BY MATISSE BLACK (7H), ELENI KARANICOLAS (7H) AND DAYLE MCDONALD (7H) Year 7 Science has been an amazing journey. We have conducted many experiments, gone on an excursion and had a lot of fun. We began the year studying Chemistry, specifically the three states of matter — solids, liquids and gases — and the arrangement of particles in each state, how to conduct a fair test and write a scientific report, how to interpret graphs and more. We conducted experiments using conical flasks, beakers and Bunsen burners. We investigated matter changing state from solid to liquid to gas and how this change is possible.

In Term II, we studied Biology. We explored the characteristics of living things, classification of living things, the major differences between plant and animal cells, the major parts of a light microscope, interpreting food chains and food webs and understanding the effect of humans on the environment. We enjoyed using our new knowledge of living things to observe different specimens under a microscope. Astronomy was studied in Term III. We learnt about the relationship between the sun, the moon and the earth. We studied the celestial sphere; the movement of celestial bodies; what causes day and night, the months, and year; sunrise and sunset; the seasons; the phases of the moon; moonrise and moonset; tides; and eclipses. The highlight of the term was our trip to the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

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YEAR 8 SCIENCE HAYLEY EVANS (8R), CLAIRE FIDLER (9R), ALEXANDRA NASH (8R) AND YOURI PARK (8R) This year in Science we have studied a range of topics - Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology and Physics. Our favourites were Chemistry and Earth Science. Chemistry involved learning how to use Bunsen burners and other scientific equipment. In Earth Science we learnt how to identify multiple rock types based on their specific properties. Science has been incredibly enjoyable and interactive this year.

YEAR 9 SCIENCE MAKENZIE DURBRIDGE (9H), TING XING (9H), ELLA LEYDON (9H) AND ANNABEL RYAN (9E) In Term I, Year 9 studied chemistry. The highlight of Chemistry was definitely making sherbet and tasting it. We really enjoyed watching and feeling the bicarbonate soda and citric acid react with saliva. We also did a food-tasting experiment where we tested the pH level, acidity, and sweetness of certain foods, including drinking vinegar. In Term II we studied Physics. Everyone started the term with apprehension expecting high level Maths, however we celebrated

when we found out that this year’s Physics only included a few challenging equations. The highlight for Physics was definitely learning about the science behind both Chernobyl and Fukushima’s nuclear disasters. In Term III, the Year 9 cohort studied biology. This topic was really interesting as the class gained a better knowledge of the nervous system and endocrine system and how they work together to coordinate the body. A highlight during this unit was definitely the pig’s eye dissection. Term IV Earth Science was a very interesting topic as it mainly focused on natural disasters. We researched the cause and effect of these disasters, and it was amazing to discover new things about global catastrophes.