You hold the spoon steady, watching tiny drops of colourful liquid fall into a mysterious bath. It feels less like school and more like you’ve been accepted into Hogwarts for budding scientists. Plop. Plop. Plop. Before your eyes, the droplets transform into glistening, transparent, edible pearls that jiggle and shimmer under the light. You scoop one up, pop it into your mouth, and… boom! A tiny explosion of flavour bursts like a secret you’ve just uncovered. The teacher calls it spherification. You call it science sorcery.
This week at St Mel’s Catholic Primary School Campsie, science isn’t just something you read about in textbooks; it’s a full-blown adventure. In celebration of National Science Week and its theme Decoding the Universe, students are stepping into lab coats (real or imaginary) and uncovering the “why” and “how” behind the everyday mysteries of life.
“We wanted to ignite students’ curiosity and encourage them to investigate the world around them through the lens of a scientist,” says Gifted Education Coordinator Adela Vartuli.
“By ‘decoding’ everyday mysteries, students begin to see that science explains how the universe works, even in something as simple as making a treat.”
Thanks to a grant from the Australian Science Week Association, every St Mel’s student has the opportunity to join in the fun, with ingredients, equipment, and resources provided for a whole week of hands-on discovery.
But at St Mel’s, science magic doesn’t fade when Science Week ends. Our approach to learning means students are always challenged to ask big questions, test ideas, and refine their understanding from each result. Lessons are hands-on, connected to real-world problems, and filled with “aha!” moments that stick.
“We get students to observe closely, ask ‘why’ and ‘how’ questions, and use evidence to support their ideas,” explains Ms Vartuli.
“They investigate, record observations, discuss findings with peers, and revise their thinking when new evidence is found, just like real scientists!”
STEM is woven into every experiment, blending problem-solving, measurement, and digital tools for research, simulations, and sharing results in creative ways. It’s science with a side of curiosity, teamwork, and a dash of wonder.
By the end of the week, the hope is that students will not only have created crazy concoctions, but also opened their minds to science all around – in the classroom, at home, and in the community.
As Ms Vartuli puts it: “We grow learners, who grow learners, who change the world.”