on 22/07/2025
Years awarded: 2025
What does being a Science Active School mean to your school community?
We’re incredibly proud to be recognised by SASTA as a Science Active School for the first time in 2025. It is a special achievement that celebrates the passion, creativity, and commitment of our science team and reflects the energy we invest in making science accessible, engaging, and meaningful for every learner. This recognition has created a strong sense of pride in our community and affirms that the collaborative culture we’ve built is making a real impact, both within and beyond the classroom. We feel deeply honoured to be acknowledged alongside other inspiring schools that are championing science education in South Australia.
How does your school support the growth and development of its science teachers?
Our science faculty is highly collaborative. Staff regularly attend professional learning through SASTA and other providers, and we prioritise sharing best practice within our team. Through structured learning walks, peer observations, and ongoing feedback, we create a professional learning environment that values reflective practice and continuous growth. Our teachers also engage in both school-wide and faculty-led professional development to strengthen pedagogy and student outcomes.
Can you share a standout moment or achievement that reflects your school’s passion for science?
A recent standout was the Science Magic Show run by three of our science teachers at the Emmaus Catholic School STEM Fair. Held on 19 June, this event welcomed the entire school community, including families, and our teachers brought "Science World" to life. Their warmth, enthusiasm, and interactive demonstrations created a real buzz of curiosity, with young people and caregivers alike captivated by the experience.
Another proud moment came when Year 7 student Holly received the Rowe Scientific Emerging Talent Award at the 2024 SASTA Oliphant Science Awards. Holly’s interactive model showed how dogs perceive colour differently to humans, inviting judges to literally look through a dog’s eyes. Her work demonstrated creativity, scientific thinking, and perseverance — a perfect example of the inquiry mindset we aim to foster in our learners.
What science programs or initiatives at your school are you most proud of, and why?
We’re especially proud of our Future Anything program embedded in the Year 10 curriculum. This entrepreneurial science unit challenges students to identify real-world problems and develop innovative, sustainable solutions, pitching their ideas to external judges and creating prototypes. The program fosters skills in critical thinking, communication, and project management, helping students see the relevance of science in shaping their futures.
Each year, our Cardijn Showcase event brings this learning to life, with students presenting their work in a dynamic market-stall format attended by families, staff, and community partners. It's a celebration of student agency, real-world application, and future-focused science education.
This Science Active School recognition marks a milestone — but for us, it’s also a launchpad. We remain committed to creating a science culture that is inclusive, innovative, and inspiring for students, staff, and our broader community.
Do you think your school has what it takes to be a Science Active School? Apply here!
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