Science Faculty

Year 7 have been introduced to the laboratory and learnt how to conduct investigations in a safe manner. They were awarded their Bunsen Burner Licence and finished the term learning about solids, liquids and gases and using their knowledge to explain some experiments using dry ice.

Year 8 have worked collaboratively this term to develop their Working Scientifically skills through a variety of investigations. Their projects included investigating the structural properties of different shapes, candle burning time and oxygen availability, the energy content of food, the strength of toilet paper. They also studied energy, the forms it takes and how it transforms from one form to another.

Year 9 have studied energy transformations, learning about heat transfer to work collaboratively to design and construct a solar oven to cook melt chocolate for dipping marshmallows. The students produced some effective ovens and some took advantage of the recent hot weather and managed to get their internal oven temperatures to nearly 90°C. They then applied their knowledge to design and construct a Therm Flask at home for their first assessment task. We tested their flasks in class to see which flask could reduce the heat lost from 100ml of boiling water and we were impressed with the effectiveness of the flasks that the students produced. Well done Year 9!

Year 9 students designing their

solar ovens

Year 9 students constructing their solar ovens

Year 9 students testing their solar ovens  and melting their chocolate

Year 9 students learning about

sound waves

Year 10 students investigated motion by developing their understanding of distance, displacement, speed and velocity. They have learnt about Newton’s Laws of Motion and the application of these in the world around them. Their assessment task was an Individual Student Research Project where they had the opportunity to investigate an area of science that is of interest to them.

 Year 10 students investigating Newton's Third Law of Emotion

using balloon rocket races

Year 11 Biology students had a great day at Putty Beach rock platform where they carried out sampling techniques to measure the distribution and abundance of species, tested factors such as salinity and looked at how all the factors of an ecosystem interact, including the negative impacts of humans.

Year 12 Investigating Science students completing their Depth Study Investigation

Mrs Louise Watkiss

Head Teacher Science