Drones & DNA – Science Comes Alive in Year 9
What do drones, whale snot, and a science lab have in common? For our Year 9 Marine Science students, it’s all part of a hands-on learning experience that’s as real-world as it gets.
This week, our students became marine scientists in training, diving into the fascinating world of whale research. And yes, there was simulated whale mucous involved!
Modelling Whale Health Monitoring (Without Getting Wet)
Marine scientists use some pretty impressive tools to monitor the health of whale populations, and one of the most innovative is the use of drones to collect samples of the mucous whales expel when they surface to breathe. These samples, rich in DNA and biological markers, can reveal everything from stress levels to disease.
In our Super Lab, students used miniature drones fitted with tiny buckets to model this exact technique. Their mission? To fly over a (stationary!) ‘whale’ and collect a mucous sample. The challenge required more than steady hands, it called on teamwork, problem solving and a little creative thinking.
The Science Gets Serious (and a Bit Gross)
Once they had collected their samples, students moved on to the analysis stage. They tested for markers like pH, glucose and protein levels, interpreting the results to determine if their whale was in good health or showing signs of distress.
They also explored DNA barcoding, another real-world scientific technique used to identify species and even assess genetic diversity within a population. Through this, students gained a glimpse into how biotechnology supports conservation efforts around the globe.
Skills for the Future, Right Here in the Lab
Beyond the fun and fascination, this activity introduced students to a wide range of career pathways in marine science, from conservation to drone technology to lab-based DNA analysis.
It also developed vital student attributes like:
- Curiosity – asking the right scientific questions
- Problem Solving – interpreting health data
- Analytical Skills – evaluating and drawing conclusions
- ICT Capabilities – using and understanding digital tools
These are all part of our Connecting Learning to Life approach, preparing students to engage meaningfully with the world around them.
More Than Science: A Lesson in Stewardship
At its heart, this lesson was also about stewardship, caring for the creatures and ecosystems we share our planet with. Through science, our students gained a deeper appreciation for whales and the importance of protecting marine environments for future generations.
Who knew a bucket of (pretend) whale mucous could inspire so much learning?
- DNABarcoding, DroneTechnology, Featured, FutureSTEMCareers, MarineScienceEducation, STEMLearning, StudentCentredLearning, SuperLabExperiments, WhaleResearchActivities
Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.
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