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A Festive Touch in the Science Department: The Chemis-tree!
This holiday season, Ms Croft has brought a unique twist to Christmas celebrations with her very own "Chemis-tree." But what exactly is a Chemis-tree? It’s a Christmas tree designed with a scientific theme, typically crafted using laboratory equipment and materials to give it a distinctly scientific flair. Think test tubes filled with colourful solutions, beakers adorned with festive decorations, and molecular models doubling as baubles.
As you admire the Chemis-tree, it’s worth noting that snowflakes form intricate crystal lattices, just like the ionic bonds we study in chemistry, and that the glow of Christmas lights mirrors the emission spectra of excited atoms. Whether you’re a budding scientist or simply a fan of festive fun, the Chemis-tree is sure to spark joy (and maybe a chemical reaction or two)!
The Faraday Challenge
A big thank you to our Year 8 science team—Joey, Gabriele, Riley, and Andreia—who represented us brilliantly at the Faraday Challenge held at Longfield Academy. The team designed and built a prototype trampoline for deaf and blind users, which signalled when someone jumped too close to the edge. The challenge organisers described it as "one of the most innovative designs" they’ve seen this year. For the second consecutive year, Sir Geoffrey Leigh Academy has proudly won the prestigious Faraday Award. Well done to the team on this outstanding achievement.
Live Dissections
For Year 8, module 2 marked the return of the dissection lectures. Mrs Sarkaria-Nash organised an engaging session where students observed the live dissection of sheep organs. They had the opportunity to examine the trachea, lungs, heart, and liver up close, gaining a deeper understanding of the structures and tissues that sustain life in both humans and other animals. This inspiring experience provided invaluable insights; some daring students were even lucky enough to participate directly in the session!
MYP Curriculum
Year 7 have been exploring the wonders of the world around them, from understanding the structure of the Earth and the properties of magnets to changes of state, solubility, and the fundamental building blocks of matter, such as elements and atoms. They’ve also engaged with practical topics like separation techniques, the importance of potable water, and even the conservation of mass in chemical reactions.
In Science, Year 8 started the year by learning about historical figures like Émilie du Châtelet and their contributions to science. They’ve explored photosynthesis and its role in food production, studied exothermic and endothermic reactions, and investigated reactivity. On the biology front, they’ve examined plant organs, plant diseases, and adaptations of the lungs, comparing structures like lungs, leaves, and even elephant ears to understand how organisms are adapted for different environments.
Finally, Year 9 have started the year by looking at the science behind COVID vaccines and the development of the atom. They’ve honed their practical skills with magnification techniques, explored the periodic table, and investigated cutting-edge topics like cloning, polymers, and alloys. In physics, they’ve been working on circuits, while in biology, they’ve studied the stomach and carried out food tests to deepen their understanding of nutrition and digestion.
KS4 Curriculum
Year 10 started their GCSE studies with a range of fascinating topics in biology, chemistry, and physics. They’ve explored health issues, variation, meiosis, and the science behind cancer. In physics, they’ve studied radiation poisoning, with a case study on Litvinenko, and investigated radioactive decay and nuclear equations. Chemistry lessons have focused on writing chemical equations, understanding ionic and covalent bonding, and exploring concepts like moles and redox reactions.
Year 11 have been focusing on the final GCSE topics, including the chemistry of crude oil, hydrocarbons, fractional distillation, and cracking. They’ve also studied equilibrium in chemical reactions. They’ve worked on resultant forces, Newton’s Laws, waves, and electromagnetism in physics. Alongside their studies, they have completed their mock exams, gaining valuable experience ahead of their final assessments.
A reminder to all Year 11 students: you were provided with a revision guide back in September to support your preparation for the next set of mocks. Make good use of this resource as you continue your revision journey!
KS5 Curriculum
Our Year 12 IB Biology students have started with the nature of biology and an introduction to cells, including the origins of the earliest cells and the evolution of more complex cells. They’ve studied cellular differentiation, the processes of cell division and its link to cancer, and the structure of cell membranes.
Key topics have also included chemical signals between cells, mechanisms of membrane transport, and the essential role of water in cellular processes. In addition, they’ve explored reproductive hormones and their functions.
As a hands-on project, students constructed Winogradsky columns, providing a practical insight into microbial ecosystems and their importance in studying nutrient cycling. It’s been a term full of discovery and innovation!
Author:
Mr Fisher - Director of Learning for Science
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