Over Week 5, Mercedes celebrated National Science Week, Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology, celebrating the achievements and discoveries of scientists past and present.
Over Semester One, we saw how the Science faculty have gone above and beyond to engage students in their learning this year, and students’ keen and active participation in the activities available over the week was sure evidence of that!
Year 7 “Magic” Show
Our Science Wee activities kicked off on Tuesday, when Dr Jodee Dawson set out to prove Arthur C Clarke’s quote “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” with a lunchtime show. Year 7 students participated very enthusiastically in Dr Dawson’s “Magic Show”, especially enjoying the bubbling potions, magnesium flares, and the explosive reaction of a hydrogen-filled balloon to an open flame.
Veterinary Technology Visit
At lunchtime on Wednesday, students attended a talk from a special guest – Dr Maxwell Hall, who has worked in pioneering veterinary hospitals across the world, in between appearances on Harry’s Practice. Dr Hall spent some time demonstrating some of the latest developments in veterinary technology and how new innovations can keep our furry friends happy and healthy. Students quizzed Dr Hall on emerging technologies, his experiences operating on rhinos, camels and koi carp, and asking about the most dangerous animal he has ever treated (a chihuahua).
Staff Quiz and Morning Tea
While staff had a morning tea to enjoy on Friday, they had their own challenges to complete – including a short, but surprisingly difficult quiz testing their knowledge of every scientific discipline. Try a few of the questions below!
Serisier Forensic Crime Scene
Students in Serisier encountered a mildly unusual sight over the past week – a simulated crime scene in the breakout area. Students were challenged to put on their detective caps and examine the scene for clues, forensic evidence and indications of motive.
They then completed a police blotter, identifying the name of each person involved, the owner of the weapon, the identity of the victim, and a summary of events leading up to the crime. Well done to both students and staff for their painstaking attention to detail in assembling the scene!
Science Week Amazing Race
Mercedes’ Science Week culminated with an Interhouse Challenge – an Amazing Race! During lunchtime on Friday, two Year 12 students representing each House raced to different locations around the campus, completing a series of science-based puzzles, clues and riddles to work out the next location at each stop.
Students commenced in the Serisier Science Labs and received their first clue, a cipher carrying a hidden message, which students had to use a periodic table to decode.
In the Library, students assembled a paper jigsaw pointing them to a book nearby, which they used to solve the clue. After decoding, students headed to IT, answering a series of questions on the legacies of two particularly prominent scientists, Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein.
Their next clue directed them towards Head of Year Danielle Wares, who challenged students to utilise their understanding of differential air pressure in deploying partial vacuums to transport low-friction substances (see below).
With their final clue students were led to the Memorial Fountain, where Deputy Principal Brent Butcher waited to congratulate the winners!
Congratulations to the Frayne team, who overcame a late start to take first place! They received a box of chocolates for their outstanding effort, as well as earning points for their house. Congratulations also to the runners up in Serisier and McAuley, who took second and third place respectively.
A big thank you to the Science Department for putting on such dynamic and exciting activities this week – it’s a joy to see students participating so enthusiastically!
