Science and Chemistry are continuing in full force during this period of distant learning with live lessons enabling pupils to carry on asking questions and exploring their ideas with their teachers.
Head of Chemistry, Mrs Joanne Griffiths, tells us what pupils from Forms 2 to Form 6 have been learning over the past few weeks.
“Form 2 have been studying ‘forces’ and some of our pupils have been carrying out their own experiments. From investigating magnets to designing parachutes for their cuddly toys, lots of safe but interesting science is going on outside our science labs! We are also utilising some of the great simulations available on the internet to allow pupils to design and test their own research questions linked to this topic.
In Chemistry, the Third Formers have been working on developing some of their research skills. They have been using the FOSIL framework to delve deeper into some climate change articles. Some classes have been using remote learning group work to good effect, looking for evidence of bias in specific articles together. Our fantastic library team have helped us to produce this project and it feeds into a development of scientific literacy for our pupils that is so important in our world today, with all that the media throws at us.
The Fourth Formers have been learning about the treatment of waste water and use of our world’s resources. As this links in with sewage treatment there have been no home practicals on that topic! However, over half term they had the opportunity to take part in some exciting practical challenges like exploring the chemistry of chocolate and why it has the perfect melting point. Another experiment looked into the chemistry of surfactants to answer why orange juice tastes so bitter after cleaning your teeth.
Our Form 6 Chemistry students have been working on a variety of topics across A-level and the IB Diploma. These include chemical analysis, acids and bases, organic reactions and also reaction rates. The Royal Society of Chemistry spectroscopy resources have been a great help here and pupils have been working on using their newly developed analytical skills to solve a murder mystery!
Simulations are also proving helpful with this year group. Students have been able to carry out online titration experiments and we even have a simple Iodine clock simulation written by our very own Dr Headley.
The pupils and staff have responded positively to a very difficult situation and learning continues in earnest.”
