Term 3 Science

Year 7 has been learning the science of waves and the transfer of energy, and also aspects of space science. Lessons have explored how sound waves are produced, how they travel through the motion of particles, and their properties of pitch and volume. We have also studied light waves, and can explain how differences in wavelength of visible light result in different colours. This knowledge of the visible spectrum of light was then extended to the entire electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from radio waves all the way through to gamma rays, with knowledge of the properties and applications of the seven wave categories. Finally, we completed several lessons on space science, exploring our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the almost unimaginable scale of the Universe beyond.

Year 8 has been exploring the topic of Healthy Lifestyle. This has included a close look at the essential nutrients that we require for a healthy and productive life, lifestyle choices that can have detrimental effects, and exploration of the contents of food, food labelling, and the use of food tests to verify the presence of specific types of nutrients. There has been an investigation of the structure and function of both the respiratory system and the digestive system, the latter included a hands-on practical to model the digestion of food all the way through the digestive process from food to faeces (though thankfully the actual output was not as challenging).

Year 9 has been exploring the scientific foundations of pyrotechnic fireworks. This has been a wide-ranging investigation that has included atomic level explanations of chemical reactivity; the study of explosive materials; the flame-colours produced by a range of metals; the process of combustion; explanations of exothermic and endothermic reactions in terms of energy emitted or absorbed; and the theories of motion, kinetic energy and gravity. Who knew that there were so many strands of science underlying the sound and spectacle of pyrotechnic fireworks? Well, our Year 9 students do now!

Year 10 has been investigating three GCSE topics: The Periodic Table and trends within specific groups; Chemical Quantities leading to balanced chemical equations; and most recently Forces and Energy Changes. The chemistry lessons have explored the fundamentals of atomic theory, the nature of elements and recognition of trends in properties within three key groups in the Periodic Table. Lessons on chemical quantities underpin understanding of how to quantify amounts of material required as inputs and expected as products from chemical reactions. The investigation of forces and energy has introduced fundamental concepts of Physics that will be employed frequently in later modules of the course.

Communications

It’s been a ‘funny’ start to 2022 for the Year 8 and 9s as our Communication lessons have focused on understanding and sharing humour. Students have learnt about different types of humour and being teenagers, sarcasm was the clear favourite. They enjoyed sharing jokes, videos and memes with their class and explaining their views. We have also had discussions around cultural differences in humour and when joking and teasing go too far and could be considered bullying.

The Year 7s have been learning about the different parts of a conversation. We have reviewed video clips and analysed conversations to see what has gone well and what is missing. The students have enjoyed working with a variety of peers to practice these skills and at the end of the term we used the website ‘Storyboard That’ to make comic strip conversations. It has been a great start to the new year and I look forward to seeing the students putting these skills into practice.

On Friday 4th February, Year 10 students had a workshop with Magistrate Alvin Shaw.

He talked about how people's actions have consequences and what the scale of these consequences are.

Students were able to ask questions about how a court works and hear real life stories about how people's choices impacted their lives.