Nova Hreod celebrates British Science Week
Squashed Tomatoes Challenge launches STEM event
British Science Week ran from 13th-20th March. We launched the event with a Squashed Tomato Challenge for all the Key Stage 3 students. The task focussed on the challenges facing people in Nepal who need to find methods of transporting produce down steep mountains. Using a guy line, students worked in teams of 6 to find a way to securely attach tomatoes to a rocket so they could safely travel down the mountain.
First to have a go was Year 9. All the teams created amazing designs and we had a range of different results. Some devices barely moved, some zipped along so fast that all the tomatoes jumped out half way along. In the end there was one team that scored 12 points.
Next the year 7s created contraptions to carry the tomatoes. Using only the few materials given every team had a different idea on how to solve the problem. The Pigeon Squad managed to clock up an astonishing 16 points by carrying 8 tomatoes along the wire.
Finally it was the turn of year 8. Once again every team worked hard to compete against each other to be the winners. The Overweight Crabs wowed everyone with their design as it was the only device that reached the end of the guy wire carrying 3 tomatoes.
All of the students worked incredibly well during all the activities and demonstrated brilliant team working and problem solving skills
Sublimation Assemblies
Students in year 7, 8 and 9 had a different type of assembly in British Science Week when Dr Clapp was invited to demonstrate some fun science.
Dr Clapp brought some dry ice along to the assembly and wowed the students with some amazing facts about dry ice. Students learnt all about ‘Sublimation’ when solids become a gas without becoming a liquid first. They discovered that the vapour created is heavier than air and therefore sinks; they also found out what happens if you add washing up liquid to the dry ice – lots of smoky bubbles!
Partial Eclipse
Students in Year 7 and 8 watched the eclipse on 20th March as part of their science lessons. They made pinhole cameras and learnt about why it was dangerous to look directly at the eclipse, including the effects on the nerve cells in the eye. They then went outside to see the spectacle for themselves.
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