Science The academic year 2010 – 2011 started on a ... - King's High

<strong>Science</strong>
<strong>The</strong> <strong>academic</strong> <strong>year</strong> <strong>2010</strong> – <strong>2011</strong> <strong>started</strong> on a real high. <strong>The</strong> examination results achieved by the girls
were outstanding. We were rightly very proud and delighted. <strong>The</strong> Year 10 girls, in their first attempt
at a public examination, all gained a grade B or better, with a fantastic 88% of grades being A or A*.
<strong>The</strong> Year 11 girls achieved almost as highly. Many of these girls had worked very hard during the <strong>year</strong>
in an attempt to adapt to the more conceptual nature of the Additional <strong>Science</strong> GCSE. At A level it
was the first time that the A* grade was awarded; six girls gained this award in biology and five in
chemistry. This is an amazing feat as they were required to achieve an average of 90% across the
three A2 units.
September saw Mrs Sims join us, from Warwick School, as
Teacher in Charge of Biology. It was my pleasure to watch
her run a truly inspirational revision lesson along the lines of
a “pub quiz” – an idea stolen by many of us to use with our
own classes. Mrs Grant who had, at least theoretically,
retired in July returned to teach upper school biology and
Year 8 physics. She has thoroughly enjoyed this, especially
making 8V batteries from lemons, oranges and apples,
teaching the Mr Edmonds Energy song to Year 8 and
meeting Lonesome George, the Galapagos tortoise, with Year 13.
Teaching is, of course, about engaging one’s students,
bringing subjects to life, and developing a genuine and long
lasting desire to learn. In biology, the girls have been
enthralled with the biochemistry of photosynthesis and
learning how plants can turn light energy into chemical
energy; a reaction that we, as yet, cannot simulate and
thus are reliant on for our food. In physics the girls have
learnt about the seven forms of electromagnetic radiation
via a “matchmakers” activity: each girl took on the role of
either a form of radiation or a use. Looking at vehicle
safety and stopping distances has been an eye-opening
experience for those girls who will soon be learning to drive. All students, regardless of age, enjoy
making slime and seeing which group can stretch their polymer the furthest.
Many of your daughters will, I hope, have commented on the variety of
activities offered in science lessons. Staff constantly look to develop
their teaching. This <strong>year</strong> Mrs Mottram and Mrs Burgham have been
using familiar games such as “A Question of Sport” and “Who wants to
be a Millionaire?” to reinforce learning as a starter or plenary activity.
In fact, they have had so much fun they ran a training session at
lunchtime for the rest of us. Team races have been used in both physics
and chemistry to improve learning. Year 11 girls had great fun with a
“moles race” in chemistry. In biology they have been making models of
cells, food chains and meiosis and mitosis to aid understanding. <strong>The</strong>
physics department has been developing its practical regime with a new
steam engine, soccer pucks to show the principles of the conservation
of momentum, and ‘Newton apples’ - each with a weight of 1N. We
are, of course, very fortunate to
have such excellent resources -
apparatus, books, software and technology - to help.

<strong>The</strong> science department, along with the rest of the school, has been looking at how we can assess
our students more effectively and give more valuable feedback to each girl. For the first time, we
have asked girls at Key Stage 4 to self-assess their approach and learning in each science subject and
we have been making increased use of both self and peer assessment. For instance in physics, instead
of just going through the homework with the whole class, seven girls (with prompt cards to help)
were asked to lead small groups through the work.
<strong>Science</strong> has not been constrained to the classroom this <strong>year</strong>. A small group of ‘Gifted and Talented’
Year 7 scientists attended an Imagineering day at Myton School where they used K’NEX to build
motorised cars, which they then road tested. Who knows, maybe one of these young ladies will be a
world-changing engineer at some point in the future. A group of Year 12 students has been working
towards the Gold Crest Award. This is a major undertaking as each project requires a total of 70
hours’ work across research, writing and practical work.
Girls from King’s have
entered a number of science
competitions of one form or
another this <strong>year</strong>. Danya
Zeng (Year 12) was selected
as one of five UK students to
attend the biennial Professor
Harry Messel International
<strong>Science</strong> School <strong>2011</strong> in
Sydney, Australia. This focuses on honouring excellence in Year 11
and 12 students and encouraging them to pursue careers in science.
One of the features of the International Schools is the lecture series;
the theme this <strong>year</strong> was Light and Matter. Lucy Wootton (Year 12)
was awarded <strong>The</strong> Ogden Prize as the Physicist of the Year at King's.
We had two entries in the Physics Olympiad run by Oxford University – Nunu Tao receiving a
commendation award for her attainment in this very demanding exercise.
We extend our congratulations to the Year 8 girls who participated in the Salter's Festival of
Chemistry at Warwick University. <strong>The</strong>y were fabulous ambassadors for the school and worked with
confidence to identify unknown chemicals and densities, ultimately being runners-up which, out of 18
schools, was an impressive feat.
<strong>The</strong> biology department entered the Society of Biology’s
Biology Challenge again this <strong>year</strong>. About 130 girls took
part in this computer based quiz, which asks questions on
a whole range of topics from natural history to evolution
and conservation. Eighteen girls were awarded Gold
certificates, a great reflection of the breadth and depth of
interest in biology among our girls. Mrs Burgham led the
girls to victory in the Coventry and Warwickshire
Chemistry Quiz for the second <strong>year</strong> running and a victory
against Princethorpe College in the West Midlands
Chemistry Quiz.
<strong>2011</strong> has been the
International Year of
Chemistry. <strong>The</strong> chemistry
and art departments

worked collaboratively to produce entries for a prestigious international art exhibition entitled “Our
Children on Water” organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Two Year 7 girls, Imogen Reed
and Grace Vetch, had their pieces selected for an exhibition in London and four European cities.
Three Year 10 girls attended Salter’s chemistry camps during the summer holidays where they were
introduced to A level practical techniques and made paint as well as experiencing university life first
hand. Year 12 students entered the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, a brand new competition
sponsored by St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge. <strong>The</strong>y had to sit a demanding 90 minute pen and
paper competition specifically designed to make students apply their knowledge and problem solving
abilities utilizing a range of mathematical and chemical tools. We were delighted that seven girls
gained a Copper award and 2 a Silver one; Georgia Lamb achieved the highest mark in school.
Links with the library continue to grow. Sixth form biologists were asked to read and review a
biological book before the end of term. Despite a few initial cries of “I don’t read books” they all
accomplished the task and some of them have really enjoyed the opportunity of learning from paper
rather than the digital screen! Dr Chamberlain has been reviewing How to teach Quantum Physics to
your Dog; I am not sure what he intends to introduce next into the physics curriculum! Dr Grist is in
the initial throes of collating a science reading list for younger students.
May saw the department over-run with Year 5 students, from
local primary schools for the inaugural King’s High Primary
School morning. Under the guidance of our science team and
sixth formers, the children had fun in physics, biology and
chemistry. <strong>The</strong>y used K’NEX to build weighing machines,
investigated quicksilver and slime and tested a range of fruit
juices to discover the amount of Vitamin C present.
<strong>2010</strong>-<strong>2011</strong> has seen the department preparing to adopt new
specifications at GCSE. We were pleased to welcome Mr Riddle,
from Edexcel, to lead a training session on the IGCSE course for
staff from King’s and Warwick School. Obviously, this will involve
alterations to the schemes of work and types of lesson and
homework activities that we offer but we are all very excited
about the proposals. <strong>The</strong>re are some quite difficult concepts but
also some more traditional practical work and we are sure that
the girls will adapt easily.
<strong>Science</strong> has continued to go from strength to strength and we look forward to bumper numbers
starting A level science courses. For the first time we are running four Year 12 biology and four
Year 12 chemistry classes. This is all in addition to two physics groups. <strong>The</strong> department has had to
appoint an extra member of staff to cope with the additional teaching and we warmly welcome an
old girl – Miss Jennifer Kneeland to the department.
Head of Department - Mrs R Chapman