Science Enrichment Update

Year 11 Applied Carousel of Visitors - 8th October ~ How do car manufacturers build the science of

crash test dummies into their new vehicle designs? How do space craft stay in orbit without any fuel? Seven experienced professionals working in different scientific fields came into school to discuss Science in the Workplace with 70 applied science students in year 11. Ranging from batteries used in space, to packaging foods, from animal illnesses to David Beckham's oil advert, the talks gave a great insight into the importance of science in different industries, and helped students complete their coursework portfolios.

Nuffield Bursary Celebration Event 4th November ~ Ken

Mawhinney, Ella Graham and Griffen John presented their project work at this event in Science Oxford. Each of the year 13s had given up their summer holidays to work on their own research project within laboratories across Oxfordshire. The Nuffield Bursary itself is a prestigious award however these students had also completed enough to be accredited with a Gold Crest award. We are incredibly pleased with their achievements and their work will be on display at the Science Fair.

Year 7 in the Astrodome - 4th and 5th November ~ The

whole of Year 7 enjoyed what has now become a very popular annual event, anticipated by students and teachers alike. The Explorer Dome staff turn the dome into a planetarium for the day and show us the patterns of the stars, how ancient people perceived them as constellations and wonderful pictures of all the planets in our own solar system. Highly relevant to the Space topic taught in Year 7.

Year10 Sharp Laboratories of Europe - 5th November ~ Eighteen year 10 students were treated to a

fascinating vision of the future in the visit to Sharp Laboratories - from mobile phone screens that can scan fingerprints to computer chips embedded in glass. The scientists at Sharp opened our eyes to the possibilities of making millions by shaving half a penny off the price of each mobile phone chip, and gave our students a great insight into the exciting career prospects in the electronics industry.

Envision and Sustainability Conference 11th November State and Independent schools in Oxford are uniting to share good practice in issues relating to sustainable development and combating climate change. The first sustainability conference took place at the Key Learning Centre in the Oxford Castle. Mr McAll took a couple of the sixth form Envision group to take part in the preliminary discussions. The afternoon included a series of talks from researchers at the Environmental Change Institute, Oxford University and the Director of the Northmoor trust. Dates for the next conference are yet to be confirmed.

Year 8 States of Matter Show – 18th November ~ Key Stage 3 chemistry requires a good

appreciation of the principles behind states of matter and particle theory. Hence this annual show from the Explorer Dome Company for the whole of year 8, in which students come to realise that anything can be turned into a liquid or a solid – if you just get it cold enough. They experience crackling balloons, boiling nitrogen and exploding canisters. They find out how to squeeze 10 balloons into a pint pot and find out about those nifty little handwarmers that you can buy in sports shops. The general verdict was “COOL”.

Sixth form visit to Castrol - 21st November ~ 13 year twelve and thirteen chemistry students visited the

Castrol Technology Centre near Reading. The students enjoyed an informative look at techniques used in analytical chemistry during a laboratory tour. They were then able to speak with analytical chemists and placement students from university chemistry departments in order to gain an insight into higher education and career opportunities.

Forthcoming Events: • Y10 GCSE Science Day in London – a series of lectures from acclaimed Scientists

• Y9 Christmas Lectures Trip

• Y7 Dinosaur extinction Day - Reward Trip to OU Natural History Museum

• Year 8 visit to Oxford Castle

• Y11 Bubbles Show

• Primary schools Science of Magic Show

• Y10 Science at Work Day

• Science Week with the Science Fair (Tuesday 10th March)

• Y10 Fantastic Plastic show

• More sixth form talks and visits

• AND MUCH MUCH MORE …….. check out the Specialist Status section of the website for more information.

Year 8 Evidence for Evolution Competition – 22nd November ~ 12 of our Year 8 students were

involved in a poster competition and quiz at St Edwards School. The event was opened by Steve Jones who gave a speech on Evolution. Having won the preliminary round of the quiz our students then faced St Edwards themselves in the final round and finished with a very convincing win! Well done to those involved.

Year 10 Chemistry Challenge - 26th November ~ Three year 10 teams entered the Royal Society of

Chemistry's "chemistry challenge competition" for schools within the South East region. Answers to the quiz have been posted off and if students are successful in this first round of the challenge they will be entered to compete in the South East Regional Chemistry Challenge to be held at the London South Bank University on Wednesday 21st January 2009. Fingers crossed!!

Ongoing programmes: Year 7 Science Club ~ Year 7 are having a great time on Mondays after school meeting a range of science teachers for a

variety of activities. We have had competitions for the bounciest custard, discovered that the Romans could make very strong glue and concocted our own very fizzy bath bombs. Next term will see a whole new range of activities including using electronics to control lights and buggies. We hope to take a small team to the Salters Science Festival at Oxford University. This is a popular club – but there is always room for more people. We meet in Science 43 after school on Mondays.

CREST Challenge Club ~ This term the Cherwell Challengers have decided to enter a competition run by the British

Association for the Advancement of Science (The BA). Ben Fogel and James Cracknell, who rowed across the Atlantic last year, are this year joining a race to the South Pole. The competition is to design the best polar jacket for this type of expedition. We are therefore doing lots of experiments into insulation, windproofing, and waterproofing. The end result will be a presentation of all our ideas, a Bronze CREST Award and, if we win the competition, a visit from Ben and James! Katherine Lygate

Sixth Form Lecture Series – Open to all sixth formers from schools in Oxfordshire On the 12th of November Dr. James Paterson and Dr. Peter Bannister of Eykona Technologies came to speak on engineering and their medical imaging company. The talk was very well attended with students particularly enjoying the demonstration of 3D imaging in practice. In an entertaining talk on the 19th of November, Professor C P Kyriacou of the University of Leicester spoke on the genetic control of behaviour. He focused on the link between genes and sleep cycles, an area particularly useful for the psychology students who attended. On November the 26th Ed Batchelar of Oxford University came to talk on the biochemistry behind the rise of antibiotic resistance. A complicated but highly relevant issue with increasing concern over so called ‘superbugs’ such as MRSA. Next term students can look forward to talks on a diverse range of topics from climate change modelling to string theory and the creation of the Universe! Lewis McAll

GCSE Astronomy ~ GCSE Astronomy lessons are held after school for Year 10 students on Tuesdays and repeated on

Wednesdays. The lessons last for approximately an hour and a half. Eventually there will be an exam taken in June 2010. The lessons are open to anyone who would like come along: parents, staff, students from Cherwell and other schools (Year 10 and above). It is not too late to start! No prior knowledge is required and you would be very welcome, please email aehall@cherwell.oxon.sch.uk if you are interested. Stephen Moss and Anne Hall