Outreach Programs

For: Year 11, VCE Biology Unit 2

Available: By arrangement

Duration: 2 to 4 hours

Cost: $12 to $18 per student

Location: Melbourne

Students investigate the evolutionary history of Australia in this ‘wetland and woodland wander’ through La Trobe University’s Wildlife Sanctuary on its Melbourne campus. They learn about symbiotic relationships and the history of fire in the Australian landscape, how plants adapt to change, and the many uses of indigenous plants. Participants will also be introduced to ecological survey techniques and other methods of evaluating the health of ecosystems, including quadrats and transect mapping, wetland assessment, and invertebrate sampling.

This program is divided into two optional two-hour sessions, one designed for SAC Outcome 1 (Theoretical), the other for SAC Outcome 2 (Practical), with the option of completing one or the other over two hours, or both sessions over four hours.

Student notes and teacher guide for SAC materials provided. Three classes, maximum 75 students.

For: Year 12, VCE Biology Unit 3

Available: May

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: $25 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

Students explore immunology and disease by working with eminent educators, senior biology teachers and PhD students to gain an understanding of antigen-antibody interactions and the use of microscopy in diagnosing diseases such as malaria. This workshop is supported by a seminar on the immune system, presented by an immunologist.

Students will complete this program well-equipped to fulfil the requirements of SAC for Outcome 2: A response to an issue or an aspect related to the immune response.

Student notes and teacher guide for SAC materials provided. Maximum 25 students.

For: Years 9 and 10, Extension Biology

Available: On request with notice

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: $20 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

Students explore disease and diagnosis in the context of malaria. Working with eminent educators, biology teachers and PhD students in the laboratory, high school students learn how to diagnose malaria using microscopy. They also gain an understanding of how an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) procedure is used to detect anti-malaria antibodies in patient samples, and how to interpret the results. This workshop includes a presentation on malaria to provide a context for the laboratory session.

Teachers will be given post-workshop activities to follow up in the classroom. Maximum 25 students.

For: Year 12, VCE Biology Unit 4

Available: Selected dates in June and July

Duration: 6 hours

Cost: $25 per student

Location: Albury-Wodonga, Bendigo

Students analyse the molecular basis of heredity and patterns of inheritance during two three-hour lab sessions. The two sessions can be run on the same day if required.

Session 1 explores the principles of Mendelian genetics – how hereditary characteristics are passed from parent organisms to their offspring – by manipulating and examining live Drosophila (fruit flies). This session also covers sex linkages.

Session 2 students use Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis procedures to analyse a Drosophila gene. By completing both sessions, students gain a practical understanding of the principles of genetics.

Students will complete this program well-equipped to fulfil one of the requirements for Outcome 1: Analyse evidence for the molecular basis of heredity and patterns of inheritance.

Student notes and teacher guide for SAC materials provided. Maximum 36 students.

For: Year 12, VCE Biology Unit 4, Years 9 and 10 General Science

Available: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Duration: 2 hours

Cost: Free

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

This session highlights the use of biotechnology to improve breeding lines in farm animals and production yields in agriculture. Students gain experience with tools such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and gel electrophoresis. By rotating through four work stations they will acquire practical knowledge of the sophisticated genetic and molecular biological research programs currently relevant to Australian agriculture.

Year 12 students will gain the knowledge and data required for one of the three practical assessment tasks for Outcome 1: An investigation using a DNA tool or manipulation technique. Student notes and teacher guide for assessment task provided. Maximum 30 students.

Note: Tailored professional development programs available on request for pre‑service and experienced teachers.

For: Year 12, VCE Biology Unit 4

Available: Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Duration: 1.5 hours

Cost: Free

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

This workshop explores public interest issues associated with emerging technologies, in particular Gene Technology. The workshop has been designed in consultation with VCE biology teachers and the Gene and Nanotechnology Information Service (GNTIS).

Students examine questions such as ‘is genetically modified (GM) food safe?’ and ‘what are the long-term effects of GM foods on the environment?’ They are encouraged to evaluate media representations of gene technology and use critical frameworks to generate informed opinion.

The workshop examines gene technology regulation in Australia, and offers an overview of genetically modified crops grown around the world. Students completing ‘Issues in Gene Technology’ will be equipped with the resources, knowledge and skills to complete one of the assessment tasks for Outcome 2: A response to an issue related to human intervention in evolutionary processes. Designed for students who have completed the introductory workshop ‘Get into Genes’ for Years 9, 10 and 12.

Student notes and teacher guide for SAC materials provided. Maximum 30 students.

For: Years 9 and 10 General Science

Available: By arrangement

Duration: 3.5 hours

Cost: $22 per student

Location: Melbourne

For: Year 11, VCE Chemistry Unit 1

Available: Term 2

Duration: 2.5 hours

Cost: $20 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

Participants in this workshop gain a practical understanding of the basic concepts of nanoscience and current research in nanotechnology. Students synthesise gold nanoparticles and ferrofluid, determine the diameter of a human hair, and investigate the hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties of magic sand.

Students will complete this program well-equipped to fulfil the requirements of SAC for Outcome 2: The Extended Experimental Investigation or The Summary Report. Student notes and teacher guide provided. Maximum 24 students.

For: Year 11, VCE Chemistry Unit 2

Available: Term 3

Duration: 2.5 hours

Cost: $20 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo

Students explore the chemistry of water and associated environmental problems. In pairs, they carry out four experiments: distillation of water and several alcohols; properties of hard water; identification of common ions in solution; and colorimetric determination of a detergent.

Students will complete this program well-equipped to fulfil the requirements of SAC for Outcome 1: The Extended Experimental Investigation or The Summary Report. Student notes and teacher guide provided. Maximum 40 students.

For: Year 12, VCE Chemistry Unit 3

Available: Term 1

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: $22 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga

Small groups of students observe and participate in experiments highlighting the operation, qualitative and quantitative capabilities, advantages and limitations of High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), UV-Visible Spectroscopy (UV-VS), and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Typical quantitative analyses established using these instruments include caffeine in an analgesic mix, alcohol in a solvent mix, phosphate in water and iron in lawn fertiliser respectively.

Students will complete this program well-equipped to fulfil the requirements of SAC for Outcome 1: Evaluate the suitability of techniques and instruments used in chemical analysis. Student notes provided include background information on each instrument, experiment-based activities, and revision and comprehension questions. Maximum 40 students.

For: Year 12 VCE Chemistry Unit 3

Available: May

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: $22 per student

Location: Melbourne, Bendigo, Albury-Wodonga

Students synthesise crystals of Aspirin, purify the product using the recrystallisation method, and measure its Melting Point (MP). Infrared (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectra (MS) are used, allowing students to observe, measure and appreciate the chemical structure of the crystals.

This workshop is designed to support and complete SAC for Outcome 2: Identify and explain the role of functional groups in organic reactions and construct reaction pathways using organic molecules.

Student notes and teacher guide provided. Maximum 40 students.

For: Years 11 and 12, VCE Physics Unit 1-4, Years 9 and 10 General science (Topics can be adjusted to suit year level)

Available: By arrangement

Duration: 2 to 4 hours

Cost: $10 to $20 per student

Location: Melbourne

Themes include: radioactivity, electricity and magnetism, understanding motors, optics, waves and sound, and synchrotron science. Students tour La Trobe University’s world‑class X-ray science and surface science laboratories, and access the Virtual Beam Line – the University’s multimedia portal to the Australian Synchrotron.

These hands-on workshops take advantage of La Trobe University’s new, Technology‑Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) physics laboratories, featuring integrated PC technology for conducting experiments, understanding and visualising results, and delivering supporting material. Maximum 30 students.