Exploring the vastness of space, microscope workshops, the famous egg drop challenge, a trip to the NEOBIO Science and Technology Museum and a STEM-based ‘Anything That Floats’ competition - It has been an action-packed week with the return of the Britannica Secondary Science Week. Students from Year 6 to 10 have taken part in a variety of enrichment activities that have fostered a collaborative and competitive atmosphere amongst the year groups.
On the heels of Eco-week all classes were tasked with designing and building a raft by reusing plastic bottles. It has been fascinating to observe the different shapes of rafts that have been created and great to see the student working together to complete the task.
Following a ‘electrifying’ assembly about static electricity, using the same set of materials all year groups were challenged with constructing a contraption to protect an egg in mere minutes. 7 contraptions were dropped from the 4th Floor and amazingly, 6 eggs survived. A near perfect result.
Bridge building, brainwave reading technology, the Archimedes Screw, rocket building and bungee jumping - the new NEOBIO Science and Technology Museum trip provided all the students with an enjoyable interactive learning experience. The “Brain It” station was one of the highlights of the day where the students had the opportunity to attempt to move a car around a track using only their thoughts. The technology behind this is like that of Elon Musk’s Neuralink.
Microscopes are incredible tools that allow us to see things that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Scientists and engineers rely on microscopes to study materials and explore microscopic universes. In our Microscope workshop this week, students had the opportunity to discover the wonders of microscopy. They collected their own leaf specimens and used microscopes to observe and compare their stomata. By making an impression of the epidermis with clear nail varnish, we were able to view these vital structures up close. Stomata are important structures that regulate gases in and out of leaves, affecting photosynthesis and transpiration.
We were thrilled to see our students engage with these exciting and educational workshops and activities. Well done to all students this week.
