15 TRIPS AND VISITS Science Outreach Work On 30th November, 10 Year 8 students, accompanied by Miss Saleem and Mr Alishah, headed to Cherry Orchard Primary School to support the learning of Year 6 students in their Science lessons. Mahdi Choudhury writes: “We had to present information and activities that were related to light. These included using ray boxes and concave and convex lenses. The students had to predict what colour light would become if filters were used to mix colours. We worked with two classes in Year 6. Both classes were very eager to learn and the children collaborated in their groups in a nice manner. They were very well behaved and listened to our instructions effectively. I would like to thank Mr Jones and Miss Saleem for allowing this trip to take place and for selecting me to go on the trip. The visit was a really enjoyable experience for me and I hope to have an opportunity like this again. It was a real pleasure to have gone on this trip”. Miss Mitchell, Science Co-ordinator at Cherry Orchard, writes: “I have had great feedback from the teachers and the children about your visit today. Please thank your students for all of their work in preparation for, and during, the sessions. Our children clearly got a lot out of it!” Mr Jones Thinktank Trip The day began with a brief introduction to DNA and its uses in forensic analysis, criminal investigations, paternity tests, cancer screening and a myriad of other applications. As simple as the tests may seem, the techniques required precision and patience to carry them out accurately. We first practised using micropipettes to transfer liquids into small eppendorf tubes which were then placed into a thermocycler to replicate the DNA – we made several billion copies. We also isolated DNA from our cheek cells and saw a visible strand of DNA. This experience helped us in further developing our understanding of the relevant A-level Biology topics by granting us first-hand experience of genetic screening. Overall it was an informative and enjoyable experience, and was definitely worth it. Tahera, Sara, Rafayeth, Simran, Rahul, Iffat, Ben, Khizar, Sandeep, Manhoor and Arfa. Year 9 Physics Big Quiz 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 THE ‘BIG BANG’ SCIENCE FAIR On the 16th and 17th of March 2017 two groups of thirty Year 7 students went to the NEC in Birmingham to visit the ‘Big Bang’ Science Fair. Cyril Kumar writes ‘We listened to a talk by Staff from Oxford University; they talked mainly about the digestive system and did fun activities with us. After this we had some time to explore the Fair in groups; there were different activities such as: the structure of an ear, sound, virtual realities, robots and quizzes. For the quizzes we were awarded prizes and a sticker which you had to collect to enter a competition. We watched another lecture which was about robots; we were told how robots are made and how they have, and will be, developed’. 15 to the NEC in Birmingham to visit the ‘Big Bang’ Science Fair. Cyril Kumar writes to explore the Fair in groups; there were different activities such as: the structure awarded prizes and a sticker which you had to collect to enter a competition. We watched another lecture which was about robots; we were told how robots are