Year 12 Excursion to La Trobe University

The Year 12 Meadow Fair Chemistry cohort was invited to La Trobe University’s Institute of Molecular Sciences, and were granted access to the Bundoora Campus’ well-equipped laboratories, to attain firsthand experience on the practical applications of the material learned in classrooms. Before initiating the experiments, students were briefed with an interactive video demonstrating the importance of appropriate safety measures. The students were then placed in groups and were left to conduct four different experiments, ranging from the production of biodiesel through transesterification, to understanding the fundamentals of Le Chatelier’s Principle.

Current PhD students from the La Trobe University guided our visiting students through the experiments, and explained the significance of the findings in terms of real world applications. Students began their experiments at several stations and throughout the day, rotated from one experiment to another. The PhD students further mentored the Year 12’s, emphasising that chemistry, in comparison to other subjects, is a subject that requires a more pragmatic approach.

Overall, the educative and hands-on experience in the La Trobe laboratory was intended to provide students with an insight into chemical relationships within realistic environments. And, it achieved its purpose.

The Year 12 cohort would like to thank the La Trobe Outreach Program for hosting this beneficial event, and would also like to thank Mr. Addo, for authorising this experience.