Ecolinc - DE&T's new Science and Technology Innovations Centre is now open to deliver curriculum programs with a focus on sustainable environmental development practices.

Classes are available for students in state of the art laboratories with computers, microscopes (video-camera assisted), monitoring probes and other IT equipment, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, and glasshouse facilities. Fieldwork and SAC tasks can also be conducted in Ecolinc's horticultural plots, wetlands or the nearby Werribee River.

VCE Chemistry sessions available at Ecolinc include:

Unit 2: Environmental chemistry

AoS 1 - Water (full day program)
To complete Outcome 1, an extended experimental investigation including a Risk Assessment, investigate the role of water in maintaining life in the Ecolinc stormwater wetland. Use a variety of data logging probes to measure variables including pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, nitrates and phosphates, and compare results with environmental standards. Use atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) to measure the sodium concentration of the Ecolinc wetland and other water samples.

AoS 2 - The atmosphere (full day program)
To complete Outcome 2, this activity can be completed as a summary report including annotations of three practical activities OR as an extended investigation. • Measure atmospheric O2 and CO2 at Ecolinc, and dissolved O2 and CO2 in Ecolinc’s stormwater wetland and other water samples.

• Extract and calculate the SO2 concentration in the air at Ecolinc using colorimetry. Use the weatherwall to track weather conditions on the day of sampling.
• Extract and calculate the NO2 concentration in the air at Ecolinc using colorimetry. Verify results using the ultraviolet/visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometer. Use the weatherwall to track weather conditions on the day of sampling and compare results with nearby air monitoring stations.

Unit 3: Chemical pathways

AoS 1 - Chemical analysis (full day program)
To complete SAC Outcome 1 Task 1 – an extended experimental investigation including a Risk Assessment, or, Task 3 – analysis of qualitative / quantitative data (if the extended experimental investigation is completed from AoS 2), evaluate the suitability of techniques and instruments used in chemical analyses including atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and ultraviolet/visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS).

• AAS: determine metal concentrations in commercial products e.g. calcium in milk.
• UV-VIS: determine the protein content of common foods e.g. milk samples.
• IR: obtain and interpret IR spectrographs for commercial products e.g. milk samples.

Contact Ecolinc for further details and bookings
ecolinc@edumail.vic.gov.au
T: 03 5367 0171
F: 03 5367 0174
17-23 Labilliere Street, Bacchus Marsh VIC 3340