SCIENCE JOURNAL 2018

A W ord from the H eadmaster

The articles presented in this journal represent the best of those investigative research projects prepared by all students in Year 10 as part of their Science studies. The opportunity for students to throw themselves into the excitement of research is an example of how the philosophies of the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme have enriched the learning experience for our students. Integral to the MYP are the ideas of lifelong learning, understanding of the world and communication. The preparation of these research articles provides students with an opportunity to explore, investigate, debate, analyse and reflect on topics and issues raised in Sciences; developing skills and encouraging an interest in and understanding of the value of scientific research. Somerset College has an outstanding record of achievement in Sciences, and in this jounral we have another example of the excellence of which we are justifably proud. I would like to congratulate all the students in Year 10 on their articles, acknowledge the leadership of their teachers and Mrs Christine Wylie, our Head of Science, and commend this journal to you as an informative resource for our students and their peers. Craig Bassingthwaighte Headmaster F oreword With inquiry at the core, the Middle Years Programme Sciences framework aims to guide students to independently and collaboratively investigate issues through research, observation and experimentation. The MYP Sciences curriculum must explore the connections between science and everyday life. As they investigate real examples of science applica- tions, students will discover the tensions and dependencies between science and morality, ethics, culture, economics, politics, and the environment. Scientific inquiry also fosters critical and creative thinking about research and design, as well as the identification of assumptions and alternative explanations. Students should learn to appreciate and respect the ideas of others, gain good ethical-reasoning skills and further develop their sense of responsibility as members of local and global communities. (International Baccalaureate Sciences Guide). 2018 is a land-mark year for Year 10 Science students at Somerset College. Students have been given the opportunity to choose to study each individual Science subject (or all three) for the whole year. This year’s Year 10 students were challenged to research and present relevant scientific information about the science or technology; explain how science is applied and how it may be used in a local or global context to address the problem or issue arising from the technology; discuss the effectiveness of science and its application in solving the problem or issue; discuss and evaluate the implications of the use of science interacting with at least two of the following factors: moral, ethical, social, economic, political, cultural or environmental. This collection of ‘unedited’ articles which appear in this edition of the Somerset College Journal of Scientific Issues were all short listed from articles written by all Year 10 students who were required to submit an article on an informed, international debate which addressed one of the following: the impact of new genetic technologies on society and environment, the impact of chemical technologies on society and environment or the impact of physics and technology on society and environment. I would like to thank the inspirational Year 10 teachers, Mrs Elly Lynch, Mr Andrew Hawtin, Ms Jacinta Hyman, Mrs Sally Leslie, Ms Lisa Connell, Mr Matt McLaughlin, Mr Brad Walker, Mrs Leigh McNeil; Mr Nathan Loh and Mrs Ann Cook for their Laboratory support, as well as Ms Narelle Higgs and Mrs Catherine McDonald for their professional and editorial assistance in the completion of this Journal. Christine Wylie Head of Department - Science

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Somerset College Journal of Scientific Issues

Year 10