‘Girls in Physics’ Breakfast
On May 20th, the 2025 ‘Girls in Physics’ Breakfast was a fantastic opportunity for our students who were interested in STEM careers to meet other women who have a career in Physics and Engineering; and other peers that shared this same interest. This year’s guest speaker was Dr. Danielle Holmes from The University of New South Wales, who described her research on creating ‘qubits’ using individual atoms in silicon chips. These qubits are the building blocks of quantum computers, contributing towards the latest technology that will revolutionise humanity’s problem-solving abilities.
Photographs taken during this excursion are included.
Carolyn Drenen
Learning Area Leader – Science; STEAM Co-ordinator; Teacher of Chemistry, Science and Mathematics
GTAC ‘Using Forensic Investigations to solve an Environmental Crime’ Excursion
Inspired by real events, on Thursday May 1st, our Yr. 9 and Yr. 10 students visited GTAC and became part-time trainee Wildlife Officers for the Victorian Conservation Regulator to investigate the illegal killing and dumping of many unidentified birds of prey.
Working in small groups facilitated by a scientist mentor, our students used research grade microscopes and technologies to investigate the case. Different exhibits were examined to discover if the birds were a protected species, what murder weapon(s) were involved and they identified a prime suspect with a likely motive.
At the conclusion of the program, students decided from their supporting evidence which suspects were arrested, charged and debated their punishment based on their findings.
This student-centred program encouraged our students to be active, curious, purposeful and engage in dialogue when critically analysing crime-scene evidence.
Many thanks to Ms. Tsintziropoulos who took time out of her regular routine to accompany myself and the students on this excursion.
Photographs of the activities that were completed during the excursion are included.
Ms. Carolyn Drenen
Learning Area Leader – Science; STEAM Co-ordinator; Teacher of Chemistry, Science and Mathematics
RMIT Future STEM Leaders Training Day
During Tuesday 29th April, selected Yr. 9 students volunteered to participate in the ‘Future STEM Leaders’ Training Program, which targets and supports the growth and development of STEM leadership skills in a classroom; through facilitating the delivery of a practical STEM workshop to younger year students. The STEM Leaders’ learning was guided by industry experts and RMIT Women in STEM Ambassadors, who are current RMIT University students studying a variety of disciplines across STEM.
Aims of this program include:
• Breakdown of stereotypes in STEM with visible role models
• Engaging with mentors from tertiary education and industry
• Inspiring STEM participation in high school and beyond
• Supporting the empowerment, confidence and knowledge for student aspirations in STEM
• Boosting positive STEM culture among student groups and the school community
With support from our Yr. 11 and 12 STEM Captains, the students began to practice how to deliver a series of technology-based Science Workshops to an audience of Primary school students who will be visiting our school later in Term 2 to participate in these exciting STEM-based activities.
Photographs taken during this training day are included.
Carolyn Drenen
Learning Area Leader – Science; STEAM Co-ordinator; Teacher of Chemistry, Science and Mathematics
STEAM Club Launch with the
Scanning Electron Microscope
During the start of Term 2, our Science department was able to showcase a desktop Scanning Electron Microscope, borrowed from GTAC (the Gene Technology Access Centre), to observe objects at a nanoscale, or at a very tiny level, where 1 nanometre is equivalent to 10-9m.
At the same time, our Year 11 and 12 STEAM Captains launched our new STEAM Club with a few sessions dedicated to encourage other students (and curious staff members) to prepare and observe a variety of samples using this latest technology! Samples observed included a beetle head and legs; butterfly wings; a slice of fresh chewing gum; lizard skin; ants, feathers, dried gum nuts from trees, flower petals, evaporated liquids, tiny circuit boards found in electronic devices and various salt crystals.
Many thanks to our fabulous Laboratory Technician Ms. Fernando, who lent her time and expertise to help facilitate these sessions with the Scanning Electron Microscope.
Future STEAM Club sessions will feature guest speakers from Universities and the opportunity to complete some fun experiments. Look out for our announcements on Compass!
Carolyn Drenen
Learning Area Leader – Science; STEAM Co-ordinator; Teacher of Chemistry, Science and Mathematics