Scintillating Science Week

From LEGO bridge engineering to fizzing chemistry experiments, Science Week 2025 transformed Wenona into a laboratory of wonder.

Students across a range of year groups embraced hands-on challenges and fascinating presentations, sparking thoughtful questions and creative solutions.

National Science Week was initiated in 1997 to make science more accessible, foster innovation and curiosity and develop young people’s appreciation for the ways scientific work improves our everyday lives.

One highlight was a visit from the CSIRO's Education and Outreach Manager for Astronomy and Space Science, Robert Hollow. Mr Hollow oversees the PULSE@Parkes project, which allows students worldwide to operate Australia's iconic 64-metre radio telescope and develops educational programs that bridge the gap between professional astronomy and classroom learning.

Another CSIRO-Wenona partner, Dr David Morgan-Mar, returned this year to lead students through the convergence of human vision and camera technology. Our students plied him with questions about colour blindness and the mantis shrimp's extraordinary visual capabilities.

Wenona Science Club leaders – Year 11 students Sophie, Isla, Georgia, and Bella, organised some Renaissance Studies sessions that brought together female experts to share their knowledge of women in STEM careers. “Upon learning our Renaissance Studies sessions would focus on women's health this term, we saw the perfect opportunity to introduce students to a wide range of STEM careers,” the students said. Networking within the Wenona community, they found some accomplished parent volunteers representing diverse medical specialisations. They included gynaecologist Ms Kathy Graham, psychologist Ms Deb Walton, and oncologist Ms Patti Bastick. The students’ questions to the panel ranged from their top health tips and how they have built their impressive careers, to how being a female has and continues to affect their workplace experiences. “It was an amazing opportunity and we all learnt so much about pathways in STEM and the unique specialisations available within women’s health,” they said.

Alongside the fascinating Science Week learning, were some lighter scientific experiences including a range of unusual experiments and a live snake show. A particularly engaging moment came during a pasta tower challenge, where armed only with pasta and playdough, students raced to build the tallest structures. “The secret lay in understanding triangulation - geometry's strongest shape,” said Head of Science, Ms Sandra Woodward. In a delightful upset, the junior team overcame their senior counterparts to take out the competition.