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)
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.
Viewing the International Space Station
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:
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:
EHPS students have also participated in: