on 25/08/2025
During Science Week, disaster struck — our Principal, Dr Steele’s treasured teacup was broken! CCTV footage couldn’t identify the culprit, so students stepped into a lunchtime crime scene to investigate. Armed with curiosity and their detective skills, they examined the evidence to determine which well-respected science teacher was behind the deed.
St Dominic’s Priory College, a Reception to Year 12 all-girls Dominican college tucked away in the leafy streets of North Adelaide, explored this year’s Science Week theme through the fascinating lens of forensic science.
The week was coordinated by Science Learning Area Leader, Denise Kennedy, and began with a special visit from Professor Adrian Linacre, Chair in Forensic DNA Technology at the College of Science and Engineering. He captivated students with stories from his career and insights into the evolving world of forensic investigation.
The crime scene investigation brought theory into practice. Students carefully examined fingerprints, hair samples, lip prints, and handwriting evidence to piece together the puzzle of the broken teacup.
In the lead-up to Science Week, the College hired an electron microscope, giving students a rare opportunity to view their own samples in extraordinary detail. Everyday objects and biological specimens came alive under the lens, sparking curiosity and wonder. Later in the week, students tested their forensic eye by identifying a series of mystery images captured with the microscope.
Science Week 2025 at St Dominic’s Priory College was more than a set of activities — it was an invitation to think like scientists, solve problems, and uncover the truth. The mystery of the broken teacup may (or may not!) have been solved, but what remained clear was the students’ excitement, engagement, and love for discovery.
Joanne Villis
Director of Technology Enrichment
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