2019 School Magazine

CURRICULUM

YEAR 11 CHEMISTRY Y ear 11 Chemistry commenced with the study of radioisotopes and nuclear disasters as we completed our first piece of assessment. This real-world example allowed us to understand how chemistry is beneficial yet powerful and destructive. Following this, we studied combustion and enthalpy. While uncertainties were perhaps the most challenging concept covered this year, they were incorporated into all content and experiments. With plenty of practice, we were eventually able to complete calculations with uncertainties confidently. Year 10 Chemistry provided us with a good foundation, all of which was used during Units 1 and 2, making the transition to Year 11 much easier. While Year 11 Chemistry was challenging, we thoroughly enjoyed the year. We really bonded, learned valuable lessons from our student experiment and research investigation, and feel prepared and excited to complete Units 3 and 4. (11.4 Chemistry) YEAR 11 PHYSICS Y ear 11 Physics students immersed themselves in new and intriguing concepts this year. We all enjoyed having that ‘lightbulb’ moment working with circuits during our electrical unit, verifying Ohm’s Law, as well as observing our friends virtually ‘disappear’ through polarised lenses. From discussing the theory behind nuclear meltdowns, to calculating the amount of energy stored in a single potato chip, the scope of topics covered this year meant there was something for everyone’s interests. Alexia Georgas (11B) and Matina Samios (11W) YEAR 11 BIOLOGY Y ear 11 Biology has cultivated my sense of appreciation for life and its complexities. This year, our focus was directed towards cells and multicellular organisms in Unit 1, and the investigation of homeostatic processes in Unit 2. To prepare for our summative assessment next year, four major assessment styles were employed to gauge our knowledge of the Biology syllabus—a student experiment inTerm 1, a research investigation inTerm 2, and an examination with a data test component in Term 3. In our student experiment, we modified a preliminary experiment to investigate how coloured light affected the phototaxic behaviour of photosynthetic protists called Euglena. Vaccination studies were the concern of our research investigation, where we saw how positively the administration of immunisations affected rates of disease incidence. Finally, our Term 3 examination incorporated aspects from our learning throughout the year including cells, microscopes, photosynthesis, epidemiology, macromolecules, enzymes, organ systems and homeostasis. Although it was a content-heavy year, the supportive and warm classroom environment made for an amazing year in Biology. Annabelle Khoo (11W)

080 | BRISBANE GIRLS GRAMMAR SCHOOL 2019