On Monday 6 February 2017, 19 Year 12 students had the honour of attending the much-anticipated ‘A level Science Live’ event, during which we listened to lectures delivered by World-renowned Chemists.  These included Professor Andrea Sella, Doctor Jamie Gallagher and Doctor Philip Ball, and Doctor Suze Kundu.  The exciting topics included ‘The Secret Life of Carbon’, ‘The Human Battery’ and ‘Why Water is Weird’.  We are grateful for the opportunities given to us by the Science Department of Handsworth Grammar School.  Saheer Ahmad, an A level student, writes ‘It was an exciting and useful experience which helped enhance my understanding of not only A Level Chemistry but that of the Chemistry which surrounds us in everyday life.’

Doctor Peter Wothers, another lecturer at the event, is also known for his organisation of the annual ‘Cambridge Chemistry Challenge’ Competition.  Ms Bilkhu, our Chemistry teacher, has been organising our entry into the competition for our brightest Year 12 Chemists since 2015.  For further information about the Competition, visit: ‘c316.com/compregs/about’.

Some useful websites for revision recommended by the Examiner at the event included:

1. www.s-cool.co.uk
2. www.brainscape.com
3. www.thebrain.com

Mohamed Mohamed Maki, Year 12

Can you explain how it is possible to shine two beams of light which overlap to make a region of darkness?  On a clear sunny day you are on snow and look at your shadow. What colour is the shadow tinted?

As defending Champions of the annual Physics ‘Big Quiz’ held at the University of Birmingham, some of our Year 9 students had to answer questions on topics ranging from sub-atomic particles to the vastness of the Universe.  We had four teams representing the school.  The quiz masters for the event were the distinguished Professors Martin Freer and David Evans. There were six rounds, each round focusing on a different topic in Physics; there was also a round which involved naming famous people and places in the scientific community.  In preparation, students had been given some web-sites to peruse, which covered all aspects of the specialist round on Quantum Physics. The ‘key note’ lecture on ‘Gravitational Waves’ was delivered by Professor Ilya Mandel from the school of Physics and Astronomy.

Unfortunately, we were unable to hold onto the title this year, but all four teams should be proud of representing the school in a highly competitive and enjoyable quiz. Team A (Harjap Bahra, Terence Nduka, Arjun Salian, and Anu Adeleye) and Team B (Salmane Wasri, Jasbinder Singh, Reuben Purewal and Hiren Chhiba) were our top performing students.

Mr McCarron