Science and Mathematics Term 4 Overview

Science Highlights

This term, our classrooms have been buzzing with curiosity and discovery!

• Prep students explored how things move through hands-on experiments. They tested different types of balls by dropping them from a set height and observed whether they rolled, bounced, or did both. Discussions focused on how the material of each ball influenced its movement, introducing early concepts of forces and materials.

  
  
  

  

  

  

  

• Year 1 girls had a blast creating pom-pom poppers! Using cups, balloons, and colourful pom-poms, they explored how simple materials can make something exciting. There were cheers and laughter as they tested their poppers and discovered how far their pom-poms could fly. It was a fun way to learn about the forces of push, pull, and gravity in action!

  

  

  

  

  

  
  
  

• Year 2 investigated the fascinating question: How is sound made? Through hands-on experiments, they discovered how vibrations create sound and explored the way it travels in waves to our ears and brain. Students examined traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musical instruments, learning how these cultures use sound in unique and meaningful ways. To deepen their understanding, they drew and labelled diagrams showing how sound waves move through the air and into our hearing system. It’s been an exciting journey of discovery, combining science, creativity, and cultural knowledge!

• Year 3 investigated Changing States of Matter with a series of engaging activities. A highlight was the chocolate-melting experiment, where students observed how solids melt into liquids, adapt to container shapes, and return to solids when cooled. This delicious task helped them apply scientific vocabulary, make predictions, and reflect on their observations.

• Year 5 scientists have been shining bright this term as they explored how light behaves, specifically how it reflects off surfaces and refracts as it passes through different materials.

  To demonstrate their understanding, students designed and created their very own Disco Light Models, carefully considering how angles, surface textures and materials influence the way light bounces and bends. 

  You’ll see these sparkling displays in action at the school party, where the students’ knowledge of optics will truly shine.

  
  
  

  

  

  

• Year 6 reached for the stars—literally! They studied the solar system and Earth’s relationship

  with the Sun, creating detailed solar system mobiles and model Earths. To demonstrate their understanding, students became news reporters and astronomers, filming informative segments that answered key questions about space.

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• Year 7 Science has been buzzing with biology this term! Students explored food chains, food webs, and classification through hands-on, interactive activities. Using string, each student became a different organism as we built our own class food web - and quickly discovered how the whole system can collapse when just one species goes extinct. We also investigated why scientists classify living things, linking this idea to how supermarkets organise products and brainstorming creative alternative systems. It’s been a fun and engaging way to understand how interconnected and organised the living world really is.

• Year 11 Chemistry launched into Unit 3, diving deep into Redox Reactions and Chemical Equilibrium. Students explored oxidation and reduction processes that power batteries and prevent corrosion, and applied equilibrium principles in titrations to determine concentrations accurately. These investigations strengthened their analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Year 11 Biology students recently visited Kemp Beach as part of their preparation for their first piece of Year 12 assessment - the Student Experiment. During the field trip, students collected authentic ecological data, counting the abundance of bubbler crabs at varying distances from the low-tide mark and comparing biodiversity between the top of Kemp Hill and the nearby picnic area. Using quadrats and transect lines, they gained valuable hands-on experience with fieldwork techniques while developing a deeper understanding of how environmental factors influence species distribution. It was a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their scientific skills in a real coastal ecosystem.

  
  
  

  

• Year 12 Physics students focused on external exam preparation, revising core concepts and practicing problem-solving strategies. Meanwhile, Year 11 Physics students completed their first Unit 3 assessment—a data test requiring interpretation of graphs and charts—and successfully wrapped up Mandatory Practical #2, identifying clear trends in their experimental data.

Mathematics Highlights

Our mathematics students have tackled a wide range of topics this term:

• Year 8: Explored Statistics and Time, learning to interpret data sets and apply time calculations in real-world contexts.

• Year 9: Focused on Algebra and Quadratics, mastering techniques for solving equations and understanding parabolic graphs.

• Year 10: Delved into Logarithms, Probability, and Geometric Proofs, applying abstract concepts to practical problem-solving scenarios.

• Year 11 Mathematical Methods: Commenced Unit 3 with Discrete Probability Distributions and advanced differentiation techniques involving logarithmic, exponential, and trigonometric functions.

• Year 11 Specialist Mathematics: Investigated Vectors in Two and Three Dimensions, culminating in a Problem Solving and Modelling Task (PSMT) on optimizing Wireless Access Points around RGGS—a real-world application of mathematical modelling.

• Year 11 General Mathematics: Began Unit 3 on Bivariate Data Analysis, conducting a PSMT investigation into relationships between two variables, including a fun experiment with snake lollies to compare initial and stretched lengths.

  
  

Looking Ahead

As we wrap up Term 4, we celebrate the hard work and achievements of all our students. Their enthusiasm for learning and problem-solving has been inspiring. We look forward to an exciting year ahead filled with more discoveries and challenges in Science and Mathematics!

Nadene Housman

Subject Coordinator

Classroom Teacher