As part of their Science studies, Carramar’s Year 7 students were fortunate enough to learn firsthand about water sustainability from an Education Officer at the Water Corporation. Inspiring students to use less water, the presentation focussed on where we use water most in our households, and how much water Perth uses in a day (that’s 1GL – enough to fill the WACA to the top of the lights!).
Hard work has paid off for six Carramar Year 11 students who recently (and bravely!) presented to parents and scientists at Murdoch University. After completing a collaborative research project at school, students presented their findings on the effect of germinating wheat grains on the levels of allergenic gliadins that cause serious problems for coeliac sufferers. This important research is an ongoing project of Adjunct Professor Chris Florides of the Biological Sciences Department at Murdoch University. Carramar Head of Science, Elizabeth Kirby said the professionalism and detail involved in the students’ presentation was very admirable.
Students Bradley Doig, Rajit Bose, Munish Senghani, Phoebe Watts, Georgie Waddell and Oliver Williams acquitted themselves most admirably and gave a detailed and insightful account of the aim, methodology and results of this research.
Georgie Waddell and Vishu Parmar preparing potato and carrot for testing with enzymes in a Year 11 Human Biology lesson on digestion.
Bradley Doig and Sheida Sabeti preparing digestive enzymes for a Year 11 Human Biology investigation.
On Monday 28 August, the Year 9 extension Science class visited the Harry Perkins BioDiscovery Centre in Nedlands, which forms part of the medical research facilities for UWA. Students were there to learn about the diagnosis and treatment of the different types of diabetes, which forms part of their study of body systems in Year 9 Science. Students conducted hands-on activities; testing samples for sugar levels and later, testing for insulin levels. Students then had to ascertain, through further testing, whether or not a sample was from a potential diabetic or not. Students were working in state-of-the-art laboratories with equipment such as calibrated pipettes and digital data-loggers.
This was a wonderful opportunity for students to get a feel for Science research in general and medical research in particular.
Seven of our Year 10 students, working with Professor Chris Florides as part of their Biotechnology Internship in the Murdoch University Science Labs.
(From left to right)Bradley Doig, Georgie Waddell, Phoebe Watts, Rajit Bose, Oliver Williams, Munish Senghani and Rushil Chawla
During Science Week the Year 12 Biology and Human Biology students were treated to a presentation by renowned scientist and plastic surgeon Professor Fiona Wood. Quantum theory aside, at this moment in time it is still difficult for someone to be in two places at the same time so thanks to our innovative technology whilst Professor Wood was ‘live at Duncraig’ our students could take part in the presentation using our extended classroom facility.
Professor Wood’s greatest contribution and enduring legacy is her work pioneering the innovative ‘spray-on skin’ technique (Recell), which greatly reduces permanent scarring in burns victims. Professor Wood patented her method in 1993 and today the technique is used worldwide.
Professor Wood spoke about what motivated her to begin her journey, how the technology was developed, how it is still being improved upon and what is her next challenge.
In Science there are always more questions and challenges.
