Science Week fun at St Joseph’s College

Story provided by Nick Harvey, Science Leader at St Joseph’s College

St Joseph’s College Ferntree Gully celebrated science and National Science Week through a variety of different programs in 2018.

We hosted a STEM Careers Breakfast and welcomed 17 guests working in STEM related fields to school to meet with Year 10 students. The guests shared their passion for STEM, and stories of their career paths to date. Guests included scientists from CSIRO and BOM; a professor from Monash, a director of the Engineering Practice Academy at Swinburne, and a mix of other scientists, engineers and STEM professionals. The guests shared breakfast with our students and had group discussions.

During Science Week we hosted a screening of science film festival finalists, SCINEMA for Secondary Schools. Students also enjoyed a Brain Break science quiz from the organisers of National Science Week.

Two high-achieving students, Roger Anthony (Year 8) and Abel Sujeev (Year 11) visited the Knox Civic Centre to hear from two scientists, including Victoria’s Lead Scientist. They learned about the different pathways available to scientists and how science is much more than working in a white coat in a laboratory!

A group of 3 Year 9 students visited Scienceworks for the Aurecon Bridge Building Competition with teacher, Mr Stuart Cram, to have their bridge tested until failure; it managed an impressive 9kg!

Staff also celebrated Science Week with a baking competition, and there were some beautiful and delicious creations!

A big thank you to all St Joseph’s College staff and students for taking part in and celebrating science!