Girl in a classroom at Prep Class At St Mary's Colchester in Essex

Science Week!

14 March 2018

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It’s Science Week at the Senior School! A host of activities designed to spark a love of science and technology are taking place throughout the week and involving students of all ages. Top fingerprint expert Mr Spore came into school to explain his role with the Royal Mail and demonstrate some key forensic science techniques to Year 9. The students were soon brushing mugs for fingerprints and even taking their own fingerprints, which they used to make fingerprint keyrings!

In a workshop with two coding experts, Year 7 students successfully programmed mini Microbit computers to play ‘rock, paper, scissors’!

Year 7 students met – and held – baby pygmy goats and tiny bantam chicks. Glenn and Claire from Blackwater Alpacas and Pygmy Goats in Braintree told the students all about the animals and Eliana had the chance to bottle feed one of the babies. “The goat drank her milk so fast!” she said.

Around 60 girls took part in the Nature Specimens Quiz as part of Science Week. Easter eggs were on offer as prizes for the top scorers, with Erin (Year 10), Anna (Year 11), and Ellie and Poppy (Year 8) acting as animal mascots touring the school to advertise the event! Students were challenged to identify or answer questions about 45 specimens, including plants, feathers, skulls and eggs. Kaia, Year 10, helped Miss Tew to set it up using some of her own specimens, and also assisted with marking the answer papers. The students were fascinated by the array of natural artefacts on display. 

The Big Bang, UK Scientist and Engineers Fair, in Birmingham gave Year 8 students the opportunity to examine pig organs from the ‘Operating Theatre Live’ exhibition; take part in virtual reality experiences; handle live insects; try to beat Usain Bolt’s record in a 10m sprint; and get up close and personal with some of the Royal Air Force’s jets. They also explored a range of interesting science themed exhibitors, from the Royal Academy of Engineering to Rolls Royce, along with companies such as the German manufacturer of optical systems, Zeiss. The girls took full advantage of the chance to speak directly to researchers about their work, gaining invaluable knowledge about the industries they work within.

To finish off a very exciting Science Week, our strong-stomached students were given the opportunity to dissect eyes and hearts!

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