i2Camp proves very popular
i2Camp is a US-based teaching initiative focused on the delivery of a STEM( Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) program to boys and girls in Years 6 and 7. These camps take place across a number of schools in America during school vacations, and came to the attention of Scotch through Mr Tim Rayner at an International Boys’ Schools Coalition annual conference.
Teachers and leading organisations – including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Bose, the American Museum of Natural History and the New York Hall of Science – have developed the course content. There is a fee for each student attending the course.
In 2015, Scotch ran a pilot forensic science Crime Scene Investigation course for one week during the mid-year break in June. Twenty boys attended the course, and the feedback was extremely positive.
Last year, 45 Scotch boys from Years 6 and 7 participated in three separate courses from
20 to 24 June. All three courses were presented by Scotch teachers: 3D Printing was delivered by Mr Dylan Coleman; the Forensics course was presented by Mr Tim Colwell; and Dr David Skelt introduced young minds and stomachs to the joys and challenges of surgical techniques. Each teacher was assisted by an undergraduate teaching assistant.
The 2017 i2Camp, held from 26 to 30 June, was again very popular with Scotch boys in Years 6 and 7. In addition to the Surgical Techniques and 3D Printing programs, Mr John Croxford attended training in New Jersey to deliver a new course, App Design.
In total, 44 boys attended the camp, run for the first time in the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science. Mr Dylan Coleman again ran the 3D Printing course, using the Sir David Zeidler Auditorium( supported by young Old Boy, Alasdair Gurling’ 16), Mr Croxford in the Psychology room( supported by young Old Boy, Jason Pan’ 15), and Dr Skelt in the Year 10 Biology room( supported by
Will Emmerson, current student teacher). Dr Marta Cassidy, Head of Science, has oversight of the program, both planning the offerings and during this week.
The targeting of Year 6 boys provides exposure to specialist delivered STEM programs from an early age, and supports our commitment to STEM facilities. Importantly, boys and parents have been very positive in their praise of the camp. By moving the programs to the Centre for Science, the camp now takes place among purpose-built facilities of the highest order. DR MARTA CASSIDY – HEAD OF SCIENCE
Science Week’ s glimpses of‘ Future Earth’
This year was the first time Science Week activities have taken place in the new Sir Zelman Cowen Centre for Science.
The theme of International Science week this year was‘ Future Earth’. To raise awareness of this theme, a large globe was suspended in the Centre for Science’ s‘ Void’ during the week. Images of the Earth were taken from the International Space Station, and the globe was filled with helium to give it buoyancy and allow it to be tethered to the railings. The globe was deliberately suspended upside down, compared to common expectations. Why, you may ask. To provoke discussion among students! Comments heard included‘ Is there really a frame of reference in space?’, and‘ If the north magnetic pole is really the south pole of a magnet, then maybe it should be flipped?’
The week was opened in Assembly with a hydrogen bang and a helium squeak. There was a display of student work and a Psychology of Taste lunchtime activity in the Peter Henderson Foyer of the Centre for Science. It was also the home of drone-flying lessons with Year 9 classes. Many boys did not know that drones are used for scientific fieldwork in many areas of environmental and biological sciences.
The Sir David Zeidler Auditorium hosted both the explosive chemistry show on Monday with Miss Sarah Burton and Dr John Jackowski, and the racing excitement of the physics energygenerating bikes on Friday, with the pumping music and racing cars of Mr Nick Lelekakis. During lesson times, the Year 7 classes enjoyed viewing the excellent documentary Destination Mars, which was part of the award-winning Scinema experience. Mr Manning ran the microscopic world and Citizen Science activities, using the new dedicated microscope room.
The Boykett Room in the Cardinal Pavilion was the site of the House Science Quiz, won by Forbes House. Mr Keith Oatley was quizmaster, and Kahoot! was the chosen platform. Many boys participated, and their knowledge of science was impressive.
In the regular classrooms, Year 7 completed the‘ Water Filter Challenge’, an experiment designed by NASA and set on Mars, and coded in the GROK coding challenge during their form time; Year 8 explored the wonders, colours and bangs of chemistry in class, and undertook the GROK coding challenge; while Year 9 flew drones and explored the excitement of the reaction of Coke and Mentos. Professor Andrew Holmes visited many classes, and all enjoyed that experience.
Thanks to the Science staff for their hard work and great ideas. We are all looking forward to the 2018 Science Week extravaganza! DR MARTA CASSIDY – HEAD OF SCIENCE
www. scotch. vic. edu. au Great Scot 41