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Wine
Science
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A
YEAR 10 SCIENCE ELECTIVE
As
a direct result of our involvement in the Science In Schools
Research Project (SISRP), now officially called School Innovation
In Science, The Grape and Wine Production Year 10 Elective
Science unit has been developed.
The
Grape and Wine Production Unit :
This
is a year 10 elective science unit where students under
the direction of a professional wine maker Chris Peters,
(the school's chemistry teacher) are involved in the production
of a real product. (Being a red and white variety table
wine) The course covers all aspects of the wine industry
and production, e.g. from vine to wine. The students are
involved in all aspects of the wine making with the finished
product being able to be picked up by their parents at the
end of the unit. It was a result of a Science partnership
with local industry (Southcorp Great Western and two other
secondary colleges in the Ararat region.) Stawell is 12km
from Great Western the home of world-renowned sparkling
wines and part of the ever-developing Australian wine industry.
This
program is innovative because it involves students in 'Real'
hands on Science based activities. They utilize the expertise
of teacher who is passionate about his specialist area of
science.
The
processes are real, there is a link to the local community
and industry, students are engaged and challenged in meaningful
ways, it is linked to the student's lives and where they
live, There are links to ICT and students develop citizenship
skills that will enable them to be better functioning adults
when they leave school. The teacher involved is happy, passionate
and dedicated to the special program being offered. Students
are exposed to industry and specialists that may lead them
into a career or a higher education course beyond school.
This
program attempts to make science real and engaging for the
students. There is a problem with disengagement of Year
9/10 students. By making the process real it was hoped that
students would be more interested and become more responsible
for their own learning. The students have responded to this
initiative by enrolling in large numbers.
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