St. Bernards College 2013 Yearbook #1 | Page 65

Bradley Searle, Ethan Smith, Danny Ward. Year 11: Jacob Egan, Aaron Marshall, David Woodman-Smith. Year 12: Andy Su, Ben Duthie Jung. Year 13: David Smith Otago University quiz We continued our involvement this year with 27 students attempting the competition. We were not successful in gaining any prizes but it gave the students an opportunity to test their scientific and computer technology knowledge against the examiner. Well done guys. Brain Bee Competition Trips outside the classroom This year the year 8 group were very fortunate to have had a full day trip to visit four areas involved with recycling within the Hutt Valley. The students visited the Silverstream landfill, then to Geocycle, then to transpacific recycling and then to Macaulay metals. This was an excellent opportunity for the students to see how their recycled wastes are being turned into new objects. It was suggested that the students could use recycling as a means of getting some pocket money! GNS visit Six year 12 science students had the opportunity to visit this governmental research centre and experience what today’s scientists are researching in both theoretical and practical projects. The boys spent time in a freezer which is as cold as Antarctica, had dry ice flow down their hand and saw how ice samples are used to show past climates. Field trips These important learning experiences allow the theory to be put into a context. Year 13 bio went to Paraparaumu Beach for a lupin investigation. 12Bio went to Battle Hill in Pauatahanui to research a stream environment, 12Sci to Carter Observatory to get information on planetary formation, and Titahi Bay to look at specific geological features. 10AN went to Harcourt Park to commence their investigation on the influence of the Wellington Fault on geological features. Special thanks to Mr Julian Thompson, the education officer at GNS who provided the expert descriptions of the geological features. Cosmodome visit As part of their astronomical studies the Year 7/8 students were able to look at the night sky in the comfort of the library. This was an excellent opportunity for the students to see the arrangements of the constellations in the sky and what the earth would look like from the moon. The programme also took the students through a wild ride through the earth. St Bernard’s College 2013 “Technology Valley” Awards The Vantage Consulting Group awarded a $250 scholarship to Kirill Woodhouse for his work on propagating marine corals. Kirill’s idea is to grow new corals from a single source rather than having to harvest new corals continuously from their natural marine habitat. Kirill is currently doing this in his home sea water aquarium. where businesses leverage locally derived science and technology as an important source of competitiveness. Kirill’s investigation will not only benefit the marine environment but it could easily become a major business venture. The Technology Valley Working Group and in collaboration with the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Hutt City Council is focusing on building the Hutt Valley’s reputation as a place Primary School Visits We are extremely fortunate to be able to take science ideas down to Ss Peter and Paul’s school and Sacred Heart primary school. It is great to see the awe and excitement in the eyes of these students. Science is still a magical occurrence. At Sacred Heart we look at natural processes involved with earthquakes. At Ss Peter’