In Year 9 and 10 we are working towards our Science Badges. Science Badge is a nationwide project that encourages learners to find their science passion. Each learner selects a topic from 29 options and completes tasks for that topic. Each task is worth a certain number of stars and when they reach 20 stars they are awarded their badge and certificate.

Hadley has been designing and making a burglar alarm system for a model house. This project focuses on using electronics kits to make circuits. He has enjoyed getting to make loud noises and different sorts of alarms. Alex and Natalie have been building a central pivot irrigator prototype out of straws, popsicle sticks and plastic milk bottle lids for their Agriculture badge. They have enjoyed getting to build things in Science.

Flynn has been learning about the wine industry in New Zealand focusing on different vineyards and the grapes that they grow. He has learned that the number of vineyards in New Zealand is 2023 and they produce 457,000 tones of grapes. Jack has been working towards his Chemical Processing and Engineering badge. He has been making plastic out of milk. This involves separating the casein polymer from the milk and then leaving it to harden. He has enjoyed the practical part of this project. 

Maddi is doing a Food Technology Science badge. She has made cottage cheese to see the process of making it. Maddi has enjoyed being able to cook in Science and is looking forward to making yoghurt next week. Jethro is doing a Sports Science badge and has been practising his swing bowling in cricket. He has learnt that you can use the seam on a cricket ball to displace air and create a difference in pressure that causes the ball to move. 

Tafaitoa has been learning about the difference between anaerobic and aerobic exercise. He will be able to use this information to help his sport as he now knows about lactic acid buildup. Kaiyo is learning about native bees for his conservation badge. Native bees don't live in hives, they live underground! 

Olivia and Skyla have made pamphlets to support the Yellow-Eyed Penguins. You can collect one from the main office to help protect these precious birds. Blake learned about gear ratios on pedal bikes for his Sport Science badge. Now he and Tafaitoa are going to do a heart rate test to learn about how exercise can affect you. Hellen is writing an illustrated story about dolphins for her Marine Biology badge. She has learnt many facts about dolphins including that they can stay under water for up 10 minutes at a time!