This week is National Science Week (15-23 August), so what better time to celebrate Science at Damascus College and learn more about the many opportunities it presents for our students. The motto of Science at Damascus is ‘Inspiring Curiosity.’

Pictured below are VCE Biology students, earlier this term, undertaking a practical investigation of their own design as part of their studies. Some of the questions under investigation this year include: “What is an effective concentration of alcohol in hand sanitiser to prevent bacterial growth?” “Can temperature treatment denature the protease proteins in pineapple and allow gelatine to set?”

At Damascus, our young scientists study scientific knowledge and develop inquiry and practical skills, analytical skills including critical and creative thinking, and communication skills in the areas of biological, chemical and physical sciences from Years 7-10. Students are given great opportunities to participate in a variety of classroom and extra-curricular activities which are all designed to extend and complement the skills and knowledge gained in each of the science units studied.

Our Year 8 students complete an Esteem program which integrates Science, Maths and Digital Technologies and challenges students to think critically and creatively, problem solve and implement solutions involving digital technology.

In Year 9 students can choose one of our STEM electives – Horticulture or Food and Consumer Science. In Year 10, students can further extend their scientific knowledge and skills by completing electives which may include Biology, Chemistry, Physics and / or Psychology as well as an elective which explores science in our everyday lives. Year 10 students can also choose to study VCE Science as part of accelerated access.

In the senior years of school, Damascus students can choose from a range of VCE Science subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Physics and Psychology.

These subjects are a wonderful stepping stone to a wide range of careers including but not limited to: Dentistry, Engineering, Horticulture, Sports Science, Medicine, Geology, Psychologist and many, many more.

The theme for the 2020 Science Week (15-23 August, 2020) is ‘Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans.’ Students have the opportunity to participate in the daily quiz and have been provided with links to National Geographic documentaries. As a family you might like to celebrate Science Week at home so I have also included links to these below. During morning TA students have talked about their favourite Ocean animal and why? This may be a great conversation over the dinner table sometime this week as well.

Another fun activity could be viewing short clips such as:-

‘Finding Nemo’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EchU-2S4SwA

‘Dolphins from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy “Goodbye and thanks for all the Fish” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG6b3V2MNxQ

National Geographic : Hostile Planet: Oceans
https://clickv.ie/w/ucZn

Going places with Ernie Dingo: The Great Barrier Reef
https://clickv.ie/w/3cZn

Scope: Science in the ocean
https://clickv.ie/w/8cZn

Davis Attenborough’s Blue Planet II: One Ocean
https://clickv.ie/w/DcZn

National Geographic: In their own words: Deep Water Horizon
https://clickv.ie/w/XbZn

The Great American Oil Spill
https://clickv.ie/w/QcZn