From the Science Department
Year 12 Earth and Environmental Science Excursion- Georges River and Chipping Norton Lake
As part of the year 12 Earth and Environmental Science course students are tasked with completing fieldwork to investigate environmental impacts of a human activity.
The students also study a resource and how it is extracted, managed, used and environmental impacts managed and land, water and air rehabilitated.
A visit to the Georges River Environmental Education Centre was a perfect opportunity to study the effects of sand mining in Chipping Norton, alongside the Georges’ river, where sand was mined alongside farms since the 20th Century.
Sand mining contributes to the construction of buildings and development. Sand is often used in manufacturing, for example as an abrasive or in concrete. In the west of Sydney, Sand is mined from floodplain deposits on the Nepean River and Georges rivers. Locations such as Menangle, Camden, Cranebrook, Chipping Norton and Penrith have been or are the home to many commercial quarrying operations where the rivers cuts through Hawkesbury Sandstone and deposit sand nearby the river. Quarry workers remove sand and drill into the partially broken bedrock to further extract gravels and crushed sandstone.
Students explored the effects of sandmining of the river, by collecting abiotic and biotic measurements from locations along the river and the artificial lake. The measured soil and water pH, soil nutrients, slope measurements, temperature, wind, humidity and species abundance and diversity. This significantly increased their skill with instruments and confidence with understanding the impacts of science on understanding the world around them.
Students were also able to explore physical geography using augmented reality, through the use of a real-time topographic map, that they could alter by adjusting sand height and formations. They studied sand particles under the microscope to relate their features to their formation and also for their commercial use. This day further espoused the importance of out of classroom learning experiences.
International Women and Girls in Science day Poster Competition
On February 11th, International Women and Girls in Science day was marked by several events at Magdalene Catholic College
Among the events, a competition was launched. Students in Year 7 - 10 were invited to create a poster, either by hand or digitally, about a famous female scientist OR a poster that motivates girls to study and pursue science as a career.
One winner was selected from each of Stage 4 (Year 7-8) and from Stage 5 (Year 9-10). Winners will have their poster enlarged, framed and put up in the Science Corridor, as well as receiving a gift voucher.
The standard of artwork was creative, inspiring and elegant. Thanks to every student who took the time and effort to submit an entry.
I am pleased to announce the winners of our competition:
Year 7-8 Winner
Abbey Currell (8B)
Year 9-10 Winner
Charlie Roberts (10S)
Their posters will make excellent additions to the Science Corridor. These students will be invited to collect their prize in week 7. Well done girls!
Mr Chris Ferry
Science Leader of Learning