Science Week

Jennifer Selinger – Head of Science

View from the Kleinlehrer Family Science Building

The faces in our staffroom were decidedly downhearted-looking earlier this week as we encountered a roadblock on the way to one of our Science Week explosions. It looked as though the Angry-Bird-Bazooka was going to be off the line-up, since disaster had struck – the piezo switch was not performing to plan.

Rochelle Hunter and Miranda McMahon

Jumping into the breach was our intrepid Science Technician, Rochelle Hunter, who rose to the challenge with a lovely piece of McGyverism (more commonly known as a STEAM solution nowadays). Finding the switch would not spark to order, and having no background in Physics, she consulted Mrs Google to find out what the problem might be. Mrs Google suggested that two electrical terminals would provide the necessary spark. Two nails were fished out from the storeroom and attached to the appropriate metal points on the piezo switch. Much fiddling ensued to get the correct distance, the wires had to be adjusted and reconnected a couple of times to complete the circuit and allow the electricity to flow. An expert from the Maintenance Department (thanks, Peter!) was called in to assemble the result to specifications. The outcome: the Angry-Bird will fly after all!

Speaking of Science Week, we have a wonderful line-up of Science activities coming up every lunchtime in Week 5 – there is something for all tastes!! Here is the plan:

Monday: The Amazing Science Race

Can you or your team complete all the challenges, collect all the stamps and make it back to the judge ahead of the rest? You will make the acquaintance of a number of famous Scientists along the way…

Tuesday: Creativity Day

You spin me right round! We will be investigating rotational motion in the construction of things that spiiiiiin!

Wednesday: Science Show

Well known for things that go BANG and SPLASH, we will once again be causing oohs and aahs with the wonders of Science.

Thursday: Ms Selinger’s Secret Staff and Student Surprise

Nobody knows what I have cooked up for this year’s challenge…

Friday: Annual Maths/Science Trivia Quiz

Come and do your House proud by competing in this House Event.

As you can see from the illustrations we have been very busy preparing for this event – particularly Ms McMahon, Ms Hunter and Ms Jenkins who are keeping us in line and on track!