Kickstart Science
Workshops for HSC science students
Kickstart workshops at the University give HSC students a chance to perform experiments and engage with demonstrations of key ideas in the syllabus that are not always possible to do in their own classroom.
Workshop delivery is available in person at the University of Sydney and online for students who do not live within the Greater Sydney area.
These HSC syllabus-focused workshops cover key topics and experiments that require equipment or expertise in areas that many schools may not be able to provide. Within the University’s laboratory facilities, our expert science communicators will walk your students through the theory followed by hands-on demonstrations to reinforce these key topics.
Explore our Virtual Kickstart Science designed for students who do not live within the Greater Sydney area. These workshops are subject to availability.
Our physics workshops cover many points of the HSC syllabus overseen by your own dynamic tutor, all in a real physics lab in the historic Physics Building at the University of Sydney.
The flexibility of our “Combination of Modules” choice lets you mix and match up to five of our experiments to make your Kickstart workshop as engaging and relevant to students as possible.
In our chemistry workshops, students will undertake hands-on experiments using analytical instruments and chemicals not readily available in high schools.
Enhance the HSC biology syllabus with a workshop that is totally hands-on and features equipment and models to aid the understanding of concepts in the fields of genetics, disease diagnosis, biotechnology and genetic engineering.
Students will conduct laboratory experiments and learn skills including micropipetting, gel electrophoresis, plasmid design and protein purification. Module choices and times are explained in the workshop information sheet, Alternatives can be requested through our Science Alliance Team.
Download workshop information (PDF, 243KB) includes module info and learning outcomes
Download biology risk assessment forms
Kickstart period is from end of May to end of July each year, with limited dates available
All workshops run for 2.5 hours
Maximum class sizes of ~30 students to fit comfortably in laboratories.
$38.50/student (incl GST) per 2.5-hour workshop
Virtual Kickstart online workshops give HSC students an interactive way to learn key ideas, watch demonstrations and perform their own analysis in the syllabus that can be attended from home or at school.
Tailored to meet the demand expressed by science teachers in response to changes to the NSW HSC Science syllabus and altered schooling conditions during COVID-19, these workshops cover key ideas and demonstrations that students can attend and interact with virtually from their homes or schools.
The workshops are hosted by our senior science communicators and demonstrators, and have interactive components designed to educate and engage students.
Heredity: A case study of sickle cell anaemia
90 minute session or 2 x 45 minute sessions online
Students will take on the role of a geneticist in this case study of sickle cell anaemia to determine whether a child has inherited the disease. Aligning with Module 5 and inquiry-based learning, students will investigate the genetic cause of sickle cell disease – a single nucleotide polymorphism.
The virtual workshop will incorporate demonstrations, hands-on activities, digital modelling and interactive questioning. The workshop addresses syllabus points for:
Students can perform their own experiments such as DNA extraction, model the polymerase chain reaction, discover how restriction enzymes digest DNA and learn about the use of gel electrophoresis as an analytical tool.
Spectroscopy and Analysis Skills
90 minute session or 2 x 45 minute sessions online
This workshop will demonstrate the use of NMR, IR, UV-Vis and Mass Spectroscopy; provide an overview of how the techniques are used by chemists for qualitative and quantitative analysis; and work through examples of spectra and how to analyse them.
Through a combination of inquiry-based learning and live and pre-recorded demonstrations, students will:
Combination of Modules 5–8
90 minute session, 2 x 45 minute sessions online
Shorter 1 x 45 minute session available
Students will cover some of the greatest-hits experiments from across the syllabus.
We will follow the scientific process of Predict, Observe, Explain through experimentation, data analysis and simulations. The virtual workshop will incorporate demonstrations, hands-on activities, experiments you can do in your class or at home, digital modelling and interactive questioning.
Experiments will include:
Your physics students will be given access to resources to do some pre-work, the workshop itself and post-work in order to help cement concepts and assist with assessment.
All resources for teachers and students, including pre- and post-work, are included and will be provided to classes prior to the workshop.
Teachers must be present to supervise their students throughout the duration of the workshop and to ensure students abide by our online etiquette and guidelines (provided upon registration).
On request, workshops can be accommodated to different start/end times to suit your classroom schedules. Classes with small numbers of students can contact us directly for workshop options.
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
90 minutes, or 2 x 45 minute sessions on request. Physics also has a 1 x 45 minute workshop option.
Flexible between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm
Zoom
40-50 students per session
$220 (incl. GST) per class per 90-minute session
$240 (incl. GST) per class for 2 x 45-minute sessions
$135 (incl. GST) per class for 1 x 45-minute session (Physics)
This free program blends our HSC syllabus-aligned Kickstart workshops in Biology, Chemistry and Physics with a range of unique hands-on experiences.
Enjoy a BBQ lunch and choose from a selection of activities including a bush tucker tour, a session learning about native grains, drone demonstrations and much more!
Don't let your students miss this chance to dive into science at our University of Sydney Narrabri facilities.
Biology, Chemistry and Physics
Year 12 students
Contact
Kerrie Saunders, Indigenous Engagement Officer
Year 12 chemistry students trying to identify their “unknown solutions” using the lab equipment and spectroscopy techniques.
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