Science Days

Students were given the challenge of designing, making and marketing their own version of the sweets ‘dib dab’ or sherbet fountain. First students had to make their own unique tasting sherbet and record the recipe, then using the recipe, students calculated the cost of making the product and decide on a price for retail. Then came the packaging….. What shape? What design? What logo? 

Students had to decide how they were going to market the product and prepare a script for the Dragons before presenting their product and sales pitch to the Dragons to persuade them to invest The day enabled students to see the links between STEM, and develop numerous key skills such as team work, communication, creative thinking and problem solving.

Students took part in a day where they were able to take part in a variety of activities that brought chemistry and biology together.  All students were engaged in the tasks, faced challenges together and worked as teams to solve problems. 

Rats, embalmed in a non-toxic preservative, were brought to the tables as part of a quest to stimulate an interest in the Biological Sciences during Year 11 Science Day.  

Students working in pairs had the task of extracting the digestive systems of these mammals, bit by bit, to emphasise the structure of the digestive system and the gross anatomy.  The reaction to this was of course initially mixed but students managed to put their squeamishness behind them!  Mr Alford, who ran the sessions, commented ‘there was always going to be a varied response but I am so proud to see so many putting their initial reactions aside and dealing with this in an efficient and mature fashion, I think we have a year of budding surgeons’. 

Students were intrigued as they were able to dissect the digestive system.  One student commented “I can’t believe I am doing this” whilst another commented “This is gross but I am totally absorbed – I think I will definitely be doing Biology next year”.  This sentiment was clearly felt by others with record numbers of students applying to study Biology in the Sixth Form.  With the session a success and after the job was done students nonchalantly cleared their work, removed their gloves and moved on to Chemistry to see what was in store for them later on.

Year 11 Chemistry Day

Chemistry is exciting and it opens the door to many careers in Science.  Students spoke with great enthusiasm citing many aspects that they found interesting. It was wonderful to see how animated they were and the number of facts they remembered about Chemistry. 

The session began with a careers discussion within the Chemistry field.  Most students knew that they would need to learn chemistry for their chosen careers. Clearly a lot of thought had gone into what they would like to do, a few wanted to be wine tasters, some wanted to be doctors, one wanted to be a dentist.  

First it was necessary to demonstrate the need to wear goggles when doing experiments with chemicals.  We simulated an ”acid in your eye” accident  by placing a raw egg in a petri dish.  An acid solution was poured on the egg and pupils watched with horror as the egg changed its appearance! 

The highlight of the session was in the making of radioactive slime.  This reminded students of Mr Burns, owner of the Springfield nuclear plant in The Simpsons!!  Students were given instructions on how to make the slime using glue and borax.  A chemical change occurred in the polymer in the glue, polyvinyl acetate.  Cross-linking bonds were formed, making the glue stick to you less and to itself more. Students tried to make their slime look as horrible and gooey as possible adding all manner of food colourings!! Students voted which slime had the greatest yuk-factor and were able to take their slime home! 

Students were also delighted to watch demonstration of safely igniting methane bubbles in washing–up liquid. They really enjoyed the day and wanted to see more demonstrations. 

Students commented on the day: “The activities for chemistry were very interesting and interactive. I would consider taking chemistry next year” - Sophie Turner 

“I have enjoyed making the slime and watching the washing up liquid burst into fire. It has roused my interest. I am taking chemistry next year” - Daniel Cooper.

Year 11 Forensic Science Day 

Year 11 BTEC students took part in a crime scene day.  This was designed to promote problem solving skills and team work as well as exercise their Scientific knowledge.   

Students were given a selection of tasks that would help them to formulate their evidence to solve the crime at hand!  They had to study fingerprints, extract DNA, look for a motive, test soil and carry out a chromatography test on a selection of pens to identify which had been at the crime scene.  Each group had to work together in a variety of different roles to carry out each task and draw conclusions based on evidence.  

At the end of the day the groups had to piece together their evidence, solve the crime and identify the murderer.  Students stood and presented to the rest of the group their findings, detailing who they would convict and the evidence they had to support their decision.  

These investigative and team skills are very important both in Science and also in other curriculum areas. The day enabled students to work and focus on the skills promoted by the specialism.