Seven of our top Physics students in Year 10 were invited to attend a Physics and Materials Sciences Open Day at the University of Oxford. 

Physics is the study of matter, from the very small fundamental particles called quarks to the insanely huge galaxies of stars in the universe. Oh, and everything in between. It’s the study of the forces and energy transfers between these particles that cause them to move and of their behaviour as they interact with each other. 

Materials Science is the study of the properties of materials, and how these properties can be put to use when designing and manufacturing new products. More recently, Materials Scientists have been able to create new materials with the precise combination of properties to best suit their needs. This new area of science is opening doors to novel substances being created, for example we can now produce artificial valves that can be surgically inserted into a beating heart or seek out new renewable energy sources.

After an introduction to these two areas of science, students were able to experience the scientific method of investigation for themselves. The first of their activities was to study, experiment with, and see if they could explain a number of different toy gadgets. From levitating spinning tops to optical illusions, students were given time to discover how an object worked before presenting their findings to an audience of students from other schools. Our students threw themselves into this challenge, producing some confident and detailed presentations that quite honestly blew me away.

A tour of Oxford University’s Mansfield College was next, where we got to see the historic buildings and impressive grounds. After a fine lunch we were taken to the Materials Science labs for students to experience for themselves some typical undergraduate methods of testing a variety of metals and their alloys. Students were able to study the fine structure of the various materials using light and then electron microscopy before moving on to testing the tensile strengths of these alloys by stretching them to breaking point.

Finally, our students were taken back into the lecture theatre for a Q & A session with a number of current Oxford undergraduates. They talked to us about how they have adapted to university life and how our students can take a few small steps now to improve their future prospects. One of the best questions asked of the undergrads was “What is the best way to revise for exams?”. What better group of people to put this question to than a group who have previously aced their own GCSEs and A Levels to get a place at one of the elite UK Universities? And their response: to practice! Practice answering exam questions. Practice explaining subject content to others. Practice tackling different types of questions. In short, everything every teacher tells students to do. Perhaps now they’ll take it on board?

We would like to thank Kathryn and Helena of the Physics & Materials Science departments, along with the many student ambassadors. It was an amazing experience, as summed up by one of our students as we headed back to Bicester: “What an incredible opportunity!” (see, I said I'd quote you on that). 

Indeed, it was.

Paul Upstone.

A group of Biology students from Years 12 and 13 attended a Scientists in Schools event yesterday, hosted by St Edwards School in Oxford and organised by Oxford International Biomedical Centre. 

The report below was written by Harmony with contributions from Evica, Maddie & Adriana.

The day started with a warm welcome and an introduction by Alistair Chirnside (the Warden at St Edward’s school) and Charles Pasternak (the President of the OIBC). The day consisted of 3 university-style lectures about different aspects of biology, and included a delicious lunch provided by the school.

The first lecture was by Dr Sean Elias (a Postdoctoral Scientist and Public Engagement with Research Leader at the Jenner Institute). It was an informative look into the science behind who gets the covid, and other, vaccines, as well as a basic summary of different types of vaccine and how they function. What was especially interesting to learn about is the fact that vaccines take 10-20 years to develop, mostly because of the regular (and long) regulatory processes that have to take place to make the vaccine safe. This is also one of the reasons why the covid vaccines have been able to be developed so quickly as, throughout the process, the vaccine was being checked for safety and other issues more often and therefore shortening the total time by a large degree.

The second lecture was by Dr Karen Bunting (Senior Director, Discovery Engine, Ipsen Pharmaceuticals) who described how her team are working with the world’s deadliest toxin, botulinum neurotoxin, to provide medicine for different diseases. Her method includes modifying the toxin and using its effect of causing flaccid paralysis of tissues to provide relief from some diseases that involve the constriction of muscles (as well as being used in botox facial treatments). Interestingly, the team have also recently started looking at how to remove the binding site of the toxin and replace it with a more specific site, therefore regulating the cells which the toxin has the ability to affect.

The third and final lecture was by Dr Phillip Hublitz (MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine Oxford University) who gave us an insight into how CRISPR/cas9 and other gene editing methods work, as well as their potential use in medicine in the future. Around 60% of all mutations could be reversed using this technology, with a particular focus on monogenic diseases as it is easier to locate the altered DNA, and therefore easier to repair or remove the problematic mutation.

Overall, the day was extremely fun and interesting with some great areas of biology covered, as well as a look into how some of the speakers got to where they are in their careers today. The speakers were amazing and everyone at the school was very kind and accommodating. We all thank you very much for hosting and look forward to the next event.