Regents Review Summer '16

The Regents Review Summer 2016

DEPARTMENTAL NEWS Science Staffing After May half term, we

Science Club This term in Science Club students have showcased experiments of their own design at ‘The Big Bang Fair’ at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College. This included making mobile holograms, trebuchets, film canister rockets and lots more! There were also opportunities for the students to speak with scientists from a range of careers. Finally, students were able to observe fantastic experiments with liquid nitrogen, fuels and static electricity. With the help of volunteers from the University of Southampton, they have been hard at work creating Lego robots programed to respond to sound and light. They have also taken on the challenge to build model aeroplanes with elastic powered propellers, to great success!

welcomed Mr Moth as the new Curriculum Leader to the Science department. Mrs Griffiths will also be returning to her role as Assistant Curriculum Leader for KS3.

Year 7 Winchester Science Centre Trip Year 7 had a fantastic time at Winchester Science Centre in March, investigating different exhibits, getting hands on in K’Nex workshops and exploring the solar system in the planetarium! Many thanks to the staff who helped organise this great day for the students.

Year 10 Chemistry at Work Trip In May, a small group of Year 10 students visited Winchester Science Centre and took part in the Chemistry at Work Day. This was organised by STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals aiming to inspire students to appreciate the relevance and societal importance of chemistry, and consider a future career in the chemical sciences. The students greatly enjoyed the morning introduction, which demonstrated some impressive chemical reactions and gave us a look into the future. This was followed up by 4 very different workshops, ranging from the Royal Navy demonstrating how important chemistry is in the development of explosives, to a demonstration by a chemist working for Esso on the properties of crude oil. Following the workshops students were able to question a wide variety of chemists on their profession during a speed networking session. The day was concluded with a fantastic planetarium show taking us to far away galaxies!

lamps, racing lotus flowers, paper airplane and helicopter competitions and a Science photobooth! Lessons also had a Science week theme, with classes getting messy with our viscosity of fluids practical, making holograms, testing trebuchets and creating hovercrafts! On Friday there was a joint PE/ Science day to support Sport Relief where, supported by LifeLab from the University of Southampton and Southampton General Hospital, students set up a fitness fair to raise money for charity. All in all, a brilliant week had by staff and students alike. Thanks to all staff and students who were involved in British Science Week 2016.

Science week (14th-18th March) The Science department was at full force for British Science Week. All tutor groups created balloon-powered cars as part of their tutor group challenge! Top of the class were Rowling PW and Branson KH with excellent designs. Students also came to visit the Science department at lunchtime for acid fizz mess, creating lava

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