Science Week at Bialik
Science Week commenced at Melbourne’s Bialik College with a burst of colour, wonder and excitement.
Arkie Rettig and Danielle Brod
The roster was jam-packed with intriguing events to leave even the most curious of minds in a buzz. On Day 1, students flocked to the ELC, where hundreds of glorious butterflies fluttered in their enclosure. The butterfly enclosure remained open the entire week, ensuring no one missed the opportunity to see them in action and learn about their unique anatomy and habits.
Meanwhile in the Shuk (Bialik’s canteen), students pedalled up their own smoothies on bicycles, a practical workshop on ‘leg-tricity’ – using human energy to produce electricity. Whilst students enjoyed the delicious fruits of their labour, science teachers were present to explain the mechanics of what was happening. Even the youngest of students got involved as the Year 1 Explore committee ‘reporters’ took notes, which they will use to write an article on the activity for their ongoing blogging project.
The Year 3 and 4 students had the opportunity to become super sleuths when the College library was transformed into a forensics lab. Rotating from station to station, students explored the science behind fingerprints, animal tracking, black light, chromatography and other exciting forensic topics. Some of the other events during the week included ‘Mad Lab’ creative electronics workshops, light shows, science-magic shows, ‘Unbelievabubble’, chromatography t-shirt making, Rube Goldberg machines, rocket building and much more. Parents and staff were not forgotten either. On Monday 18 May, special guest David Baker from Bakery Hill Distillery presented a ‘Chemistry of Whiskey’ evening. Attendees were invited to taste different batches of whiskey whilst learning about the chemistry behind the creation of one of the world’s most famous beverages.
Another headline event was the ‘Science in Your Home’ presentation, which took place on Wednesday 20 May. Special guest Wendy Preston from the Children’s Discovery Museum in New South Wales led a fascinating evening for Years 4-9 students and their parents, inviting them to discover fun experiments they could do at home. Using everyday things like super foods, energy sources and fizzy concoctions, Wendy showed the group how easy it is to turn your kitchen into a science laboratory.
Science Week at Bialik is about exposing the marvels of science that exist all around us, in everyday life. The week-long program was carefully planned by the Science Department, ensuring that there was something for everyone and encouraging students to approach life with curiosity and wonder. Bialik College gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Science Week at Bialik in memory of Bettie Kornhauser.
