Science Week
The school theme for National Science Week this year was Glass: More Than Meets the Eye. It is based on the UN International Year of Glass. It celebrates the many roles that glass plays in our lives – from phone screens to optical fibre to glassware in labs – plus investigating glass as a part of our sustainable future. The uses for and intrinsic nature of glass in science make it a suitable topic for investigation across all strands of science education.
National Science Week provides an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Australian scientists to the world of knowledge. It also aims to encourage an interest in science pursuits among the general public and to encourage younger people to be fascinated by the world we live in.
Today, Friday 2 September, was our formal Science Day where the girls were involved in some pretty epic activities, including the following:
- Lenses demonstration and mirrors
- How animals ‘see’ goggles
- Fun under the microscopes. What does dichroic glass look like?
- Making glass cabochon jewelry
- Making kaleidoscopes
- Making glassy balloons
- Handmade sugary glass treats
- Science show: how to make new glass
- Pop Quizzes
We sat down with Ailsa Harris, Head of Science, to discuss how the girls responded to Science Day.
“The enthusiasm of the students, their desire to participate in the activities planned for them. The questions and curiosity that such activities elicit. It always amazes me that even in our busy term the team of dedicated Science staff is willing and prepared to go above and beyond to bring Science to life. Learning is fun and it also encourages us as educators to think creatively. It allows us to do something out of the ordinary.”, says Ailsa.
Ailsa hopes that Science Day will encourage more girls to take up science subjects in the future.
“Science is one of the most important subjects in school due to its relevance to students’ lives and the universally applicable problem-solving and critical thinking skills it uses and develops. These are lifelong skills that allow students to generate ideas, weigh decisions intelligently and even understand the evidence behind public policymaking. Engaging young students with exciting material and experiences motivates them to learn and pursue the sciences throughout school.”, says Ailsa.
“We are so fortunate to have outstanding facilities, resources, and excellent teachers and technicians which allow our girls to thrive in Science and as a result so many of them embark on Science careers when they leave us.”, adds Ailsa.
A massive thank you to our Science Department for putting on such a fantastic day for our students!
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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.
