Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Alesco Senior College is proud to deliver an Australian-first to its Hunter-based students.
The educational facility, supported by Atwea College, purchased seven Mobile Science Benches (MSB) – custom-fitted and shipped from England – that will allow pupils to conduct experiments with professional equipment.
The mini labs’ arrival, to be used at the Cooks Hill, Charlestown, Tuncurry (Coast), Raymond Terrace, Cessnock, Tomaree and Northlakes campuses, also coincided with National Science Week, from 13 to 21 August.
Teacher Andrew Beaton said the MSB were an “an absolute game-changer”.
“Getting these specialist, self-contained laboratory benches to Australian shores from halfway around the world during a global pandemic was no small feat and led to some unexpected delays,” he explained.
“But, they’ve made an immediate impact.
“For a number of years, we have delivered a science curriculum for Years 9 to 12 students using very limited science equipment – often having to resort to the kitchen sink.
“So, these dedicated laboratories give them a better opportunity to learn and engage with science, which they are truly embracing.”
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation chair Jennifer Leslie said the labs had a modern fit-out but their potential applications were timeless.
“Science is an ever-evolving field,” she admitted.
“However, some of the equipment required to conduct experiments hasn’t changed since I was at school.
“These desks have all the necessary kit for students to learn by doing, including gas taps for Bunsen burners, retort stands, a water tap and sink, and treated surfaces so they’re acid-proof.
“Set on wheels, they also have the added benefit of being completely mobile, and are equipped with both clean and waste water tanks, electrical outlets, and a gas tank.
“Best of all, they’re built to last, so they will be a vital part of Alesco’s science curriculum this year, next year and for many years to come.”
The benches have been a hit with pupils, even if some initially weren’t 100% on what the labs were.
“I didn’t really know what it was when it first arrived at our school,” Year 10 student Finn Richardson said.
“But, I had to find out.
“Andrew, my teacher, said it was our new mobile science Lab and it’s got everything that we need to do all kinds of proper science experiments and demonstrations in class.
“It’s even got its own gas and water on board.
“Now we can do the same science experiments as other schools.”
Atwea College executive director Rowan Cox said the labs were providing great benefits for staff and students at all seven campuses.
“By having one at each of them, our teachers are using the MSB to enhance their science lessons, while enabling pupils to experience hands-on, experiential learning opportunities,” she added.
“The labs allow our students to explore and build on their curiosity for science, and build skills equal to their peers attending mainstream schools, while also helping to improve school connectedness and wellbeing.
“And, each unit will support all of the pupils in each campus as well, since science is a mandatory subject of the Stage 5 curriculum in NSW.”
The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation distributes more than $1.5 million in grants each year to facilitate projects that make a difference to improving local communities throughout the Hunter, Central West, Central Coast, New England, Mid-North Coast and Northern Rivers.
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