Science Pracs

This semester we welcomed Russel Dyer and Georgia Nicht to our fabulous Science team. Both Georgia and Russel teach across various year levels in year 7-10 Science.

Our students have embraced new units in year 7, 8 and 9 science and Year 10 students have begun science electives in their areas of interest. Below are photos of Students in action in some of their Science practical classes and in the Horticulture elective. We also see Year 11 Physics students applying their knowledge of Motion prac….recording their position against time and graphing their distance, displacement and velocity on graphs.

Horticulture News - Russel Dyer

The last four weeks of Horticulture have been busy! They say that winter is the low season for gardeners, but we’ve found more than enough to do:

• Students have learned the Science of pruning and then pruned the apple, pear, lemon and mandarin trees, as well as the raspberries and roses, to maximise flower and fruit growth come springtime.
• In the last week of last term, students researched native edible plants that will grow in cold climate, and then we used the suggested species to plant out a native edible garden outside of the Mud Brick Hut.
• We have started weeding the garden beds in preparation for spring planting and have done lots of mulching to prevent further weed growth.
• Students planted four Manzanillo olive trees on the west side of the Horticulture Garden, in the hope that we can eventually produce our own ‘Damascus’ brand olive oil or table olives.

In the coming weeks we will start propagating summer veggies seeds, and do some work and research around growing endemic plants for reforestation.

Up Coming events in Science

Tree Planting Day – Friday 28^th July, 2023.

Students and staff are invited to come along and, with members of the Horticulture class, plant a tree or 2 or 3 along the remembrance Walk at lunchtime on Friday 28^th July, 2023.

Science and Engineering opportunity for Year 10 students.

Damascus College has entered a team of 30 Year 10 students to participate in ‘The Science and Engineering Challenge’ which is held in order to engage students in fun and challenging group-based problem solving activities involving the skills and thought processes used by scientists and engineers. Students will have the opportunity to compete against 7 other schools from the Ballarat area. Hands-on activities include designing an earthquake proof tower, building a hovercraft or bridge, providing electricity to a city or creating an environmentally friendly house. They will work together in teams of four students to design, construct and tests ideas and present the outcomes of your work against the other 7 schools. The Science and Engineering challenge at Fed Uni on Wednesday 2^nd August 2023.

2024 National Youth Science Forum for Year 11 students. Entries close 30th July
Introducing the 2024 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) Year 12 Program a nine-day residential program in January 2024.
The NYSF Year 12 Program is designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and to encourage continued studies in these fields.
The NYSF Year 12 Program runs two summer sessions. Participants stay at university colleges and have the opportunity to become immersed in science and technology through a range of activities, including:

• participating in tours of science and technology facilities,
• learning about cutting-edge research, university, training and STEM career pathways,
• mixing with other like-minded students from all over Australia, and
• participating in social and team-building activities.

Delivered by youth for youth, past participants return each year to participate in the Student Staff Leadership Program and help run the program.

2024 dates and locations

• The Australian National University, Canberra (5-13 January 2024)
• The University of Queensland, Brisbane (12-20 January 2024

Financial support
If required, students are encouraged to first contact a local Rotary Club in their area for funding. You can also apply for an NYSF Access and Equity Scholarship if eligible.
The program fee for the NYSF Year 12 Program in 2024 is $2850. There is a $65 application fee.
The program fee covers all meals, accommodation, and participation in events during the program. Participants must make their own way to and from Canberra or Brisbane.

Here's a Facebook post about the event.

Applications are now open here and close on 30th July. Check the link for more details.

For more information you can download the PDF below: -

2024 NYSF Application Poster A4