Science Week 2025, brought a cosmic twist to classrooms as students explored the theme "Decoding the Universe". The school embraced this theme to deepen students’ understanding of the night sky and spark curiosity about the cosmos. Across all year levels, learners engaged in a variety of hands-on and minds-on activities designed to make astronomy accessible, exciting, and educational. A host of prizes and canteen vouchers were on offer for those who pushed themselves and demonstrated courage to get involved in the week’s events.

Each day kicked off with a Science riddle that challenged students to think critically about space phenomena. This was followed by a lively rounds of space bingo, where students matched celestial terms and objects to their definitions, reinforcing vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. The Science relay added a physical twist to learning, with teams racing to complete astronomy-themed challenges that tested both knowledge and teamwork.

In Science classes, students dove deeper into the stars with a constellation quiz, identifying patterns and stories behind famous star formations. One of the highlights for the Grade 9s and 10s was building and learning to use their very own star wheel, a hands-on activity that helped students learn how to locate constellations in the night sky based on the time and season. This practical tool not only enhanced their observational skills but also encouraged stargazing beyond the classroom.

To wrap up the week, students explored the vastness of space through classifying galaxies, learning to distinguish between spiral, elliptical, and irregular types. This activity tied together the week’s theme by encouraging students to think like astronomers, decoding the structure and evolution of the universe. Science Week 2025 proved to be a stellar success, leaving students inspired and more connected to the wonders above. A big shout out also needs to be mentioned for the preparation and organisation of these events by the Science staff and Prefects; what an awesome effort!

Looking ahead, Riverside High School will host an Astronomy Night on September 9th, in collaboration with the Tasmanian Astronomical Society. The event will begin at 7:00pm in the school gym with an introductory presentation, followed by stargazing on the netball courts from 7:30pm to 9:30pm, weather permitting. Students, families, and community members are invited to attend and experience the night sky through telescopes and expert guidance, continuing the journey of decoding the universe together. We are asking you to complete a QR code if you are intending to be at this event see code below: Further details for this event will be available on our social media.

Jay Duggan on behalf of the Science Faculty