British Science Week

The theme for 2020 is 'Our diverse planet' with activities focusing on anything from biological diversity and social diversity, to the diversity of knowledge and STEM careers.

As usual, there were activities across the Science department as we celebrated British Science Week, including fun experiment shows, STEM challenges for primary school visitors and a reward trip for some Year 7 pupils to the Museum of Science & Industry.  Science even took over the Friday challenge quiz with pupils competing to win house points. 

On Wednesday, Year 8 pupils were invited to watch and even take part in a spectacular science show  where experiments beyond what could be carried out in normal lessons were demonstrated.  Goggles were swiftly pulled on to watch the screaming jelly baby trick where a test tube of potassium chloride was melted in order to release the energy from the unfortunate jellied sweet.  Next up was Science teacher, Mr Barron, who was brave enough to have hand-held soap bubbles filled with methane gas set a light to create a billow of fire.  Finally, Mr Wade created a thermal decomposition reaction (thermite) by mixing iron oxide and aluminium powder with other chemicals to create heat of up to 2000 degrees.