Year 11 ATAR Human Biology
Cubes
All upper school science students must sit a variety of assessments throughout the year, from Investigations to Exams. Here Year 11 Human Biology students are conducting their first assessed practical for the year. They are using agar cubes of different sizes to model diffusion in cells.
Microscopes
Year 11 ATAR Human Biology students have learned how to differentiate the different tissue types by sight. Using our new microscopes, which are reserved for upper school students, for the first time added to the fun.
Year 12 General Human Biology
Joints
The Year 12 General Human Biology class has been learning about bones and joints over the past few weeks. In Week 2, they completed a dissecting practical on a long bone. Here they were able to distinguish between the different types of bone marrow and identify areas of a long bone. In Week 3, they had the opportunity to recreate freely movable joints with Play-doh and guess the joints that each group made.
Year 12 ATAR Human Biology
Brain Dissection
Dissection of a sheep brain is a great way for students to consolidate their learning on the structure of the brain.
Year 8 ACE Program
Matchsticks
Can a structure made entirely of match sticks support the weight of a whole person – Year 8 ACE students are building a structure to do just this.
Year 7 Bunsens
Learning to use Bunsen Burners is the highlight of beginning high school for many students. Here students are sitting for their practical test with Mr Stanes to earn their Bunsen Burner Licence.
Year 8 Investigation
The Year 8s last week had the opportunity to work in small groups to plan and conduct an experiment in preparation for one of their assessments. They were required to test the absorbency of toilet paper vs paper towel. Students used food dye to show how much water was absorbed in both the toilet paper and paper towel. After completing the experiment, the class came together to discuss the different ways they tested their hypothesis. - Ms Casey Donaldson
Forensics – Preparing Hair
While hair analysis by itself isn’t enough to convict a suspect, it is another piece of evidence to point police in the right direction. To see all the features however the hair must be treated, here Year 9s are learning that skill then analysing their results under the microscope.
Year 11 General Human Biology
Sultanas
It is difficult to observe the effects of different solute concentrations on cells as they explode quite easily. Sultanas make a good proxy that is easy to observe.
Weetbix
Saliva performs many important functions, including forming a bolus of food before it can be swallowed. Year 11 Human Biology students are doing the Weetbix challenge to demonstrate this. Eating a dry Weetbix in under 1 minute without a drink. The winner was Morteza.
Year 10 DNA
Science is always fun, but add food and it is totally awesome. Mr McArthur’s Year 10’s are creating a DNA model using gummy bears.
Goodbye Mr McArthur and Hello Mr Green
We thank Mr Craig McArthur for filling in for Mr Green for the first few weeks of term. Students have enjoyed his humour and the many experiments he organised for them. We hope to see him back at Aranmore again soon.
Mrs Naomi Geoghegan
Head of Learning - Science
