2016 School Magazine

PHYSICS OLYMPIAD In August this year, eight girls participated in the National Qualifying Exam, part of the selection process for the International Physics Olympiad. To prepare for this very challenging exam, the girls had weekly training sessions, which helped familiarise them with more advanced concepts.

All in all, the preparation and exam itself were both very valuable learning experiences.

ADELINE CHAN (11L)

TITRATION COMPETITION

BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD REPORT This year, twelve Year 11 Biology students were offered the opportunity to train to complete the Australian National Qualifying Biology Olympiad exam. The topics covered included aspects from both the Year 11 and Year 12 Biology curriculum, such as genetics, and animal and plant physiology. We met once a week with Head of Biology, Ms Monteith, to prepare for the exam. Despite the extra workload, it was thoroughly enjoyable; challenging ourselves with new concepts in an environment of like-minded people. DNA replication and protein synthesis in particular were highlights of the course. As these processes are constantly occurring in our own bodies, it was highly relevant to each of us. Furthermore, these topics were echoed later on in our school Biology course, and consequently the Biology Olympiad girls were already prepared for this section of the curriculum. After three months of study, we completed the Biology Olympiad Exam in early August, which proved to be as intellectually stimulating and difficult as its reputation. One student (Isobel Peters 11M) did particularly well and was offered a place at the Biology Olympiad Summer School to take place in Canberra in January next year. The Biology Olympiad program is an exciting opportunity for students to extend their knowledge and challenge themselves in the area of Biology, and we would definitely recommend it to any girls in 2017.

On Saturday 21 May 2016, eleven Girls Grammar Chemistry students attended the annual regional titration competition at QUT. In preparation for the event, we spent weeks under the tutelage of Mrs Magee, learning and enhancing our ability to perform an accurate titration. Titration is the slow addition of one solution of a known concentration to a known volume of another solution of unknown concentration until the reaction reaches neutralization, which is often indicated by a colour change. It requires precision and meticulousness to find this concentration. This was a very enjoyable and educational experience and gave us an opportunity to gain further insight into the applications of chemistry. We are all very grateful for Mrs Magee for her tireless preparation and sharing her experiences with us. We recommend all Year 11 and 12 Chemistry students participate in this valuable experience.

EESHA BAJRA (11R) AND ISABEL PETERS (11M)

ABIRAMI SOMASUNDARAM (11M) AND HILLARY BUI (11E)

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