Science


Essex Heights PS has a strong Science program. Students engage through the Science learning area of the Victorian Curriculum F-10, and are encouraged to participate in a variety of science programs. Some of these additional programs are: 

 

 

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)

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Our school successfully applied to be part of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program in July 2018 and May 2016.

 

ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspiring them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and maths, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. Astronaut Tim Peake explains how an ARISS contact works - click here.

 

17th July 2018

Twelve students from Years 3 to 6 were selected to interview Serena Aunon-Chancellor (an American physician, engineer, and NASA astronaut), crew member and a flight engineer on Expedition 56/57 on the International Space Station, as it passed overhead. Students worked collaboratively on the questions they wanted to ask, and these were approved by ARISS and NASA. Contact was made at 6.24pm on Tuesday 17th July 2018. View the YouTube link of our contact with the ISS - click here.

 

This was a whole school and community event; it was exciting to have this wonderful opportunity for our school. 

 

20th May 2016 

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A telebridge contact via VK5ZAI with EHPS students was successful on Friday 20th May 2016 at 08:35:16 UTC. Astronaut Jeff Williams KD5TVQ answered 22 questions from 11 students.  
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Viewing the International Space Station 

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The International Space Station (ISS) looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn’t have flashing lights or change direction. It will also be moving considerably faster than a typical airplane (airplanes generally fly at about 965 kilometres per hour; the space station flies at 28,160 kilometres per hour). All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the ISS and contrasts against the darker sky.

 

The photo (right) is a time-lapse of the ISS moving across the sky. For more information, including dates and times to view the
ISS, click here

 

 

 

 

 


Science Talent Search

The Science Talent Search (STS) is an annual, science based competition open to all primary and secondary students in Victoria, Australia, coordinated by the Science Teachers' Association of Victoria Inc. (STAV). STS was founded in 1952, making it one of the longest running programs of its type in the world.

 

STS has three broad aims:

  1. To stimulate an ongoing interest in the study of sciences by:
    • encouraging independent self-motivated project work amongst students of science; 
    • giving students the opportunity to communicate their achievements to a wider audience; and
    • according recognition of effort and achievement in a scientific enterprise.
  2. To promote the direct involvement of the students in the processes of science and its communication. 
  3. To give the public at large an opportunity to see the quality of work being achieved in science, by both primary and post primary students. 

 

EHPS students are encouraged to participate in the STS each year. 

 

The 2020 theme is Deep Blue: innovations for the future of our oceans - click here for information. Prevous STS themes:

  • Destination Moon: more missions, more science in 2019 
  • Australian Game Changers and Change Makers in 2018 

 

EHPS students have also participated in: 

  • National Science Week - click here
  • Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prize in 2016.
    Further information at https://www.abc.net.au/science/sleekgeeks/eureka/ and https://australian.museum/get-involved/eureka-prizes/sleek-geeks-science/ 
  • littleBIGidea 
    This was a national schools competition run by Origin that aimed to foster creativity and innovation in students from Years 3 to 8. The Top 12 ideas - including the three overall winners - were selected based on an exceptional demonstration of originality, creativity, practicality, imagination and innovation. For further information - http:/www.littlebigidea.com.au/
    In 2015, Years 3 and 4 Winner, Greta (aged 9), came up with a wonderful idea for vehicle safety. A device which alerts emergency services with a car's location using GPS when an airbag is deployed. She won a 7 night trip to the USA to visit the NASA Kennedy Space Centre.