'Future Earth’ Science Week was held during the 14th to 18th of August and was filled to the brim with exciting experiences! We learnt about creating and managing sustainable futures.
The week kicked off with a very popular performance from the Street Science group.
Michelle Neil, our College’s Citizen Scientist, then conducted hands-on workshops about marine pollution and grades 1-6 studied the types of marine debris collected at Airlie Beach. We were amazed and disgusted at the variety and quantity of rubbish found. We then examined our local beach sand. We are happy to report our findings showed very little litter. It really made us think about what happens to our rubbish when it’s not disposed of thoughtfully and highlighted the importance of recycling plastics.
Workshops were also run by John Mabb, Climate Change Scientist; and Scott Howie, on 3D printing. Mr Mabb presented an informative talk about climate change to the Year 5 and 6 students. Classes also booked times to listen to Mr Howie’s 3D printing talk and demonstration. A few children were even lucky enough to win a 3-D printed toy!
Other Science Week activities included our Great Solar Oven Design Challenge, a ‘Wishes for the future’ tree in the Library, and a selected group of students participating in an excursion to the Qld Archives. The students reported that they had learnt a lot and had loads of fun participating in our Science Week activities.
The Great Solar Oven Design Challenge
For weeks, students from the Junior Campus, have been honing their designs for a solar oven. The challenge was to make one that could melt an ice cube faster than a standard pizza box design. We had a huge variety of entries, all of which met the design challenge. We had lots of testing throughout Science Week; then on Wednesday 16th August, we came together for a solar cook-off! Times for melting were recorded, with the Junior Campus’ fastest cooker being made by grade 4 student, Malaki R. His Minion-inspired oven melted ice in 3 minutes, 31 seconds! The most decorated solar oven awards went to Elliana A from grade 3 for her vibrant garden design, and the London, Deville and Colt P for their giant life-like oven. Other winning designs came from: Declan LB, Aiden BB, Blake M, Emily LB, Lorelei E, Ethan A, Phoenix R, Jake G, Athaliah M and Felicity P. Thanks for the fantastic effort made by students and their families.
The following day at our Science Week assembly, we had Scientist Trish Morrow give an informative speech about Solar Ovens and the impact they are making throughout the developing world.
Stan Cajdler, a solar oven enthusiast, then showed the children a range of home-made solar ovens during morning tea break. He went on to give presentations to Prep, Year 3 and 4 on designing effective solar ovens. Mr Cajdler had all sorts of designs, one of which he donated to the school. He demonstrated how his most powerful solar ven could set a stick on fire, or boil a billy can of water within seconds!
Amber Phillips
Junior Science Teacher
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