From the Solar System to Rocket Launches: Term 2 Girls in STEM Club Ends with a “Big Bang”

The final session of the Term 2 Girls in STEM Club took place on Tuesday at the Discovery Science and Technology Centre, concluding with a “big bang” as the group explored rockets and forces in action.

First, the girls investigated a scaled model of the Solar System (1 cm = 1 million km, approximately 1:100 billion) displayed throughout the Centre, helping them grasp the vast distances involved.  Using this scale, Mercury was positioned 46 cm from the Sun, Venus 1.08 m, and Earth 1.5 m, while the outer planets highlighted the true scale of space, with Uranus at 28.3 m and Neptune at 45 m.

Next, the girls explored Newton’s law of action and reaction through hands-on activities.  They built balloon rockets to observe how compressed air generates motion, with plenty of laughter as the balloons shot unpredictably around the laboratory.

They then examined chemical reactions, identifying key indicators such as changes in state, colour, and temperature.  In one experiment, a small amount of water and an aspirin tablet were sealed in a container.  As gas formed, pressure increased until the container suddenly popped upward, clearly demonstrating the force produced by gas expansion.

Alissa then demonstrated a water-air powered rocket attached to a guiding rope.  Once sufficient pressure built up, the rocket shot along the rope and struck a tennis ball mounted on the wall, which absorbed the impact.  This showed how stored pressure energy can be converted into rapid motion.

The final experiment explored combustion and the fire triangle oxygen, fuel, and heat.  A spark was introduced into a sealed metal container containing air and a small amount of hairspray fuel.  The ignition produced rapid gas expansion, forcing the lid upward with a loud bang.  The dramatic reaction surprised and excited the girls, providing a memorable demonstration of energy release.

Overall, the session brought together space, forces, and chemistry in a series of exciting demonstrations, providing a memorable and inspiring conclusion to the term.

Registration for Term 3 of the Girls in STEM Club is now open via the Girls in STEM Club programs page at Girls in STEM Club | Programs | Discovery Centre Bendigo. Don’t miss your chance to secure a place.