Author: Dr Darryl Nelson, Head of Curriculum, Head of Faculty (Science) The Academies of Excellence Program at SMGS provides many opportunities to students, in multiple areas. Last year, through the Science Academy, two of our Year 11 students accepted the opportunity to work in a laboratory with some old colleagues of mine from my [...]
Senior students accepting their Distinctions from outgoing Academic Captain Aaron Pottage. The ICAS Science results are in, and it proves yet again that academic standards at SMGS are strong. We administer the competition to all students in each cohort. This year, 34% of those students received a Merit or higher and it is [...]
An unknown bacterium being tested for antibiotic resistance. Image credit: D. Nelson The nature of Science is often not well understood. One of my friends recently described Science as “black and white” in comparison to another subject where subjectivity might play a part. In a Science examination, you're looking for specific information, but in [...]
Distractions from study are now most conveniently accessible via your smartphone. It’s so tempting to use the phrase “back in my day…” with modern students. It’s not to say things were better back in the 80s or to inadvertently make me feel old, rather to point out how things have changed. [...]
Thin layer chromatography of plant pigments supported the claims of Percival Pendlehill, the Gardener. During Semester One, Year 9 Science students completed a unit entitled “The Murder At Astonbury Manor”. The concept of a murder mystery as a vehicle to complete a Forensic Chemistry course had occurred to me during lunch with a [...]
Dr. Johanna Speirs, a Climate Scientist from Snowy Hydro with Science Academy and senior students. Climate Scientist Dr. Johanna Speirs from Snowy Hydro visited Snowy Mountains Grammar School on Tuesday and gave a presentation to students. Her talk revolved around her recent visit to Antarctica as part of Homeward Bound, a program designed to [...]
It is very easy to get caught up in theoretical explanations of subjects like Science and Technology. One of the more enjoyable experiences for students can be applying their knowledge by “doing” something based on that theory. Ostensibly the Academies of Excellence at Snowy Mountains Grammar School cater for those opportunities beyond what can be [...]
With HSC results just being released, it is time for teachers to reflect on the year that has been. Part of that reflection is how to improve practice, tweaking here, modifying there. All with the aim to improve student outcomes. Whilst Lucy Schroeder, our Dux for 2016, achieved 2nd in the entire state [...]
Working Scientifically is a component of all secondary science courses in the current NSW Science Curriculum. Usually, this entails developing hypotheses, selecting the best course of action and materials to conduct investigations, carrying out the investigation safely and analysing the data produced in order to confirm or refute the hypothesis. In that melee, listening is [...]
The way in which Science is practised in the “real world” is very different to how it is delivered within the somewhat sheltered school environment. Whilst teachers have prescriptive syllabi to follow, incorporating less restrictive learning experiences to engage students during the process becomes paramount. Students in the Science Academy at Snowy Mountains Grammar School [...]
