Over a Century of Curiosity

The realm of sciences at MLC didn’t have a particularly strong start. The subjects of Chemistry, Natural Philosophy (Physics), Physiology and Botany were only introduced into the matriculation/university entrance exams in 1881. Whilst MLC did hire a well-regarded Science teacher in its second year (1883), he resigned and returned to England only a year later, meaning MLC was left without any sciences.

It wasn’t until the 1890s where MLC promoted the sciences again. This time, the only options were Botany and Physiology – the streams of science that were deemed “most suitable” for female students. This belief was quickly shaken when founding principal, Rev Fitchett, was forced to reassess the science offerings and facilities at MLC, when he started accepting government scholarship students. It was a requirement that any school accepting these students had to have provision for teaching at least one branch of science that included practical work in a laboratory.

In 1913, MLC opened ‘The Girls’ Block’ which held the schools first science laboratory on the upper floors.  The MLC Archives has some wonderful visual examples of what science was like for our early students – through workbooks donated by Old Collegians.

It wasn’t until the post-WWII era where there was a dramatic expansion in science education for girls and at MLC. In 1961 we saw the opening of the Nevile Wing – which was built to house two large science laboratories. It was after this that the number of girls studying science at MLC doubled in just four years.

MLC’s commitment to science education has empowered generations of women to pursue careers in medicine, research, engineering, and education. From its early days of Botany and Home Science to modern laboratories and university-level preparation, the College has continually adapted to ensure its students are equipped for the future.

For a more detailed account of how science has evolved in more recent years, please click here for reflections by Katrina Murray (Brabon 1987), an Old Collegian and current science teacher at MLC.