Educake Leaderboard for January 2024

This year, students in year 8 have been studying the powerful idea of Ecosystems. It is with great excitement that we share with you the recent exploration undertaken by our year 8 scientists in the fascinating realm of flower dissection.

Year 8 have been delving into the intricate structures of flowers, unravelling the mysteries hidden within their delicate petals and vibrant colours. Armed with magnifying glasses and tweezers, students meticulously observed and documented the various parts of the flower, from the petals to the stamens, anthers and everything in between. With each dissected blossom, they gained a deeper understanding of plant anatomy, the crucial role that flowers play in the reproduction of flowering plants and the vital processes of pollination and fertilisation.

Here are some of the pieces of work produced by 8ab/Sc4.

Miss Forrest

Science Department

Science Club got off to an icy start after the Christmas break with students experiencing first hand snowflakes. We were fortunate to have a snow flurry in the morning with plenty of snow for the more senior members of science club to collect. All students then had the challenge of preparing the microscope slide to view the snowflakes before they melted. Images of snowflake structures were shared on the board and we managed to view some detail.

The following week, students took part in the anti-gravity water trick and at first didn’t believe that they could hold a glass of water upside down with just a piece of card with the water staying in the glass! They were amazed that they could do this and left eager to try this again at home.

Fizzy apple volcanoes followed, which students really enjoyed. The chemical reaction in the apples produced the lava flow and different coloured food colouring was added for effect. There were certainly plenty of different volcanic eruptions going on in the room. There are pictures to show the end product.

Finally, students spent some time making stress balls out of balloons, cornflour and water. Some were more successful than others and definitely less messy. The use of the non-Newtonian fluid is ideal for stress balls and a few got to take them away for future use.

Next on the agenda are bath bombs and hopefully the arrival of some stick insects and butterflies for the spring months. Watch this space!

Mrs R Cahill

Science Teacher

We are excited to share with you the recent hands-on learning experience our Year 11 students had in their Physics GCSE studies. As part of their exploration into the fascinating world of optics and vision, our students engaged in a sheep eye dissection.

During this insightful activity, our budding scientists delved into the intricate structures of the eye, with a primary focus on the lens. By examining the anatomy of the eye, they gained a deeper understanding of how light behaves and the crucial role the lens plays in the formation of images on the retina.

This practical experiment not only reinforced theoretical concepts but also provided a tangible connection to the physics principles they are studying. It’s inspiring to witness our students actively participating in their learning journey and making meaningful connections between theory and real-world applications.

We commend their curiosity, engagement and the hands-on approach they took to unravel the mysteries of vision. Such experiences not only enhance their academic knowledge but also cultivate a passion for scientific inquiry.

Mrs Honeyman

Associate Assistant Headteacher

As a part of our GCSE Triple Science course, we were given the opportunity to do a dissection of a (sheep’s) eye. This event occurred in a Year 11 lesson taught by Mrs Honeyman.

After putting on all the required items to ensure the practical remains as hygienic as possible, we began the dissection. To begin with, excess fat and tissue was removed so we could locate the optic nerve as easily as possible. Next, we made a small incision around the longitudinal circumference, which was then followed by the eye being cut directly in half. This meant that the lens of the eye could easily slip out.

Due to this being linked to both biology and physics it meant that it was helpful and relevant to our learning and revision. As we are doing lenses in Physics, we took the lens from the eye and placed it on a piece of newspaper so we could see how the lens slightly enlarged the text. I am very grateful to have received the opportunity to do such practical work at Penwortham Girls’.

by Ellie D, Year 11