It has been another busy and exciting term in Science with lots of exciting experiments and projects taking place. It is always so rewarding to see students engaging in hands on activities in our classrooms and letting their creativity guide them as they explore new scientific concepts.
I recently read an article about a study that was undertaken by some students in Japan who were investigating whether the zebra’s stripes act as a deterrent for biting flies. They painted black cows with white, irregular stripes in the same style as a zebra to see if the stripes influenced the presence of the flies. The results were conclusive. There were 50% less flies on the painted cows than on the unpainted cows. What a fantastic experiment to be a part of! I look forward to seeing our young and intrepid scientists discover new and exciting things in their not-so-distant future.
This term our Year 7 students have been investigating forces, gravity and friction, exploring how forces affect the movement of objects. Students have been applying their understanding to everyday situations and conducting practical activities to observe the effects of different forces. I was lucky to be in the classroom when students were conducting an experiment using small carts to test different surfaces, such as bubble wrap and carpet, for friction.
Year 8 students are currently exploring the fascinating world of geology, learning about the rock cycle and how different types of rocks are formed while in Year 9 students are investigating how energy can be transferred between different forms and through different systems. In Year 10, the systems and structure of Earth and the Universe are being explored and students are beginning to study the concept of biodiversity and the impacts of climate change.
Our Year 11 students have been putting their scientific investigation skills into practice while studying the secret life of bacteria. As part of their practical work, students collected samples from their own mobile phones to observe bacterial growth. We managed to collect a very interesting array of bacterial colonies which came as a timely reminder to clean and disinfect the things that we use every day!
Finally, our Year 12 Science students have been working incredibly hard as they begin preparation for their external examinations. Students are revising key concepts, completing practice questions and refining their ability to apply scientific knowledge to unfamiliar situations. With the external exams approaching, students are being encouraged to maintain consistent study habits, ask questions and make the most of every opportunity to strengthen their understanding. We are extremely proud of the commitment and perseverance our Year 12 students are demonstrating and wish them every success as they enter this important stage of their senior schooling.
It has been wonderful to see students engaging with Science through practical investigations and developing the skills needed to think and work like scientists.
Isobel Allen
Head of Science