Science

Welcome to James Hargest College Science

Learning in science is fundamental to understanding the world in which we live and work. It helps people to clarify ideas, to ask questions, to test explanations through measurement and observation, and to use their findings to establish the worth of an idea.

Our dependence on science and technology demands a high level of scientific literacy for all New Zealanders and requires a comprehensive science education for all students, as well as for those who will have careers in science and technology.

At James Hargest College students attend year 7, 8, 9 and 10 core science classes. Core Science is taught at Levels 3, 4 and 5 in years 7 to 10.

In year 11 students are required to participate in NCEA Level 1 Science or NZASE Science.This is followed in years 12 and 13 with the option subjects, General Science, Biology, Chemistry and Physics in the NCEA.

2009 has seen great opportunities for the students who step up and take part in activities outside the classroom.  These opportunities are available to all of our students and we encourage everyone to have a go and get involved in Science and Technology beyond the classroom.

Academically we ended 2008 with five scholarships in the Sciences.  One in each of Chemistry, Physics, Biology and two in Science.  The students who won these scholarships really worked hard.  They put in the time and effort required and reaped their rewards.  Well done to each of them.

We are very proud of how our students are working and the level of achievement that they gain in, not just their assessments but also in their participation in Science outside the classroom at regional, national and international levels.  The first step for any student interested in these activities is to listen to the notices in form time and make the most of every opportunity that is put out there.

Recent Happenings

At the beginning of the year we had some students, Adele Price, Adrian Patterson, Harry Fellowes and Benjamin Cuff away at Auckland University for two weeks experiencing the Rotary National Science and Technology Forum.  What a fantastic opportunity.  They not only lived in hostels and took part in Science courses they also had a very social time and experienced the excitement of university life in Auckland.  This is an excellent way to find out what is involved in career paths you are interested in and you can find out about heaps of new and different career options as well.  We have already had three students accepted for next year's forum as well.  Hillary Thayer, Luke Henderson and Bailey Lovett.

Bailey has also won a Bayer Boost Scholarship.  This scholarship will allow her to work on a project with Environment Southland towards a Silver CREST project monitoring pollution levels in one of the local rivers and where the pollution is coming from.

Another large group of students spent a week at the beginning of the year at Otago University experiencing Hands On Science, which is similar to the Auckland Forum.  They too had a fabulous time finding out about different Sciences and working on a project for a week.  Every student came back inspired from both of these summer schools.

 NZAS Southland Science and Technology Fair

Our Year 8 and 10 students along with several Y13 students entered the NZAS Southland Science & Technology Fair, they did very well, gaining gold, silver, and bronze awards as well as a lot of commendations at the regional fair.  Hargest also scooped most of the major awards this year which was exciting.  Science is alive and well here.  Some students won several prizes so between them, they won a considerable amount of money which I'm sure they enjoyed spending.  In particular Zeb Thys in Y8 with his technology based project "How far would you go for your rural mail?", Peter Hamilton and Alan Cloake in Y8 with their "Remote Control Duck Retriever" and Michael Peterson in Y10 with "Cow Chow".  Michael took out the NZAS Premier Science Award, Peter and Alan the NZAS Premier Technology Award and all three projects have been nominated to the national event "Realise the Dream".

ICAS Science Competition

A number of students got credits, distinctions and high distinctions.  These include in Y7 Anna Redmond (High Distinction), Josiah Brown and Clinton Richards (Distinction); in Yr 8 Akib Khan and  Pierre Ngeru (Distinction) and Y9 Priyal Dass (High Distinction). 

Science Badge

This year it has been very encouraging to see a large number of students participate in the Science Badge programme at the Junior Campus.  To date there have been over 50 badges awarded to students. They have included Technology, Home Chemistry, Large Animals, Psychology and Geology to name a few.

These students have shown hard work, enthusiasm, perseverance and independence.  Special mention must be made of the following students Samantha Mc Intyre and Josh Whitney who have both completed a number of badges- well done.

The University of Auckland Faculty of Engineering New Zealand's Next Top Engineering Scientist Competition

Hargest had two teams compete in the inaugural Auckland University of Technology Engineering Scientist Competition.  The teams spent a long Saturday (from 8am to 5pm) at school working on the problem "Could New Zealanders save enough electricity via energy efficiency improvements in homes to avoid New Zealand requiring an additional power station being constructed?"  98 teams entered from across New Zealand and one of our teams came in Second Equal.  The team consisted of Daniel Redmond, Benjamin Cuff, Harry Fellowes and Tom Hall.  They won $2500 to share amongst themselves and their teacher coaches, Mrs Lineham and Mrs Gutsell.  A brilliant result.