Science Week occurred at Galston High School in week 4, where the Science Faculty celebrated their passion for science. The week started with a special assembly featuring Maggie Clifton, an alumna from the class of 2020. Maggie, who excelled in Biology, Chemistry, Investigating Science, and Science Extension during her time at Galston High, shared her journey from high school to her current Honours project at the University of Technology, Sydney.
Her research on 3D Source Attribution could revolutionise forensic science by tracing 3D-printed tools back to their sources, highlighting the real-world impact of scientific investigation.
The week continued with a Science Trivia Competition, challenging students to test their general science knowledge. Groups competed to answer ten science-related questions, with top performers earning prizes. High-ability students tackled questions from higher grades for bonus points, showcasing their scientific prowess.
Midweek, Fizzics Education presented “Tick Tick Boom!”, an explosive incursion that delved into the science of explosions and chemical safety, aligning with the NSW Science Syllabus. This engaging performance deepened students’ understanding of various scientific domains, including the Physical World, Earth and Space, Living World, and Chemical World.
On Friday, Year 7 students visited Taronga Zoo, linking their studies of Living Things to real-world biodiversity and conservation. Through workshops and animal encounters, students explored classification, adaptations, and the critical role of these concepts in understanding wildlife.
To conclude Science Week, Galston High participated in BioBlitz, a citizen science initiative where students and teachers documented local biodiversity. This activity promoted environmental awareness and scientific engagement, with the hope of discovering unique species, as was the case when an echidna was spotted on school grounds last year.
Additionally, Galston High continued its accelerated Science program and Science Extension course in collaboration with the University of Technology, Sydney. These initiatives provided students with advanced learning opportunities and access to university resources, fostering a deeper engagement with scientific research and inquiry.
Our STEM project with Galston Public School further exemplified our commitment to fostering a love for science. Year 9 students collaborated with Year 4 students to create Rube Goldberg machines, blending creativity, engineering, and teamwork. This project not only nurtured young scientific minds but also strengthened our school community.
Science Week at Galston High School was an inspiring celebration of scientific curiosity, achievement, and collaboration. We look forward to a continuing the tradition of Science week at Galston High School in 2025.
