The Skylink-Pro weather station has now been collecting data for nearly a year and a summary of this is displayed in the School Lecture Theatre foyer. Daily weather data, a four day forecase and historical data for up to 6 months can be seen on:
In September Professor Steven Jones, Professor of Genetics at UCL, science writer and broadcaster spoke to our year 12 and 13 students about ‘Is Human Evolution Over?’.
On the same evening a group of year 12 and 13 students also attended a talk by Baroness Susan Greenfield at Benenden School. Baroness Greenfield is Professor of Pharmacology at Lincoln College Oxford and gave an enthralling talk about how the growth of electronic media is altering our brain and central nervous system.
Years 9 and 10, Angley School pupils and primary school pupils enjoyed talks from Lee Gibbs of The Big Bug Show over two days in October. Lee continues to entertain whilst educating students in a range of areas including the bugs, their habitats and nutrition.
Towards the end of term, year 11 had the privilege of a talk from Professor Anthony Stevens on ‘The Future of Clean Transport’. Professor Stevens, engineer and sculptor, showed a picture of the car he designed to reduce energy costs which is now in production in China. A very interesting talk which promoted a large number of questions.
Probably the most interesting talk we had during enrichment lessons last term was that given by ex Cranbrookian Chris Fowler (1990 – 1995). ‘Modern Day Piracy’ was the topical issue which had year 11 riveted to their seats and enthusiastically asking questions.
Year 13 Chemists enjoyed a day at Lycee L’Escaut in Valenciennes, a specialist science school in France. They have analysis equipment not available at schools in England and our chemists took with them samples of Aspirin which they had made. They were able to analyse the purity of their samples. They were joined by some A and AS level Cranbrook French students who spent the day polishing their accents and conversational skill.
Primary School Support
Several members of Cranbrook staff have been involved in providing Science and Maths lessons to students in a range of our partnership primary schools. There have been additional workshops for Gifted and Talented students from years 3 – 6 after school and year 13 have provided science clubs in four primary schools on a weekly basis.
Three schools were treated to a Space Science day involving a range of educational activities including building robots.
Alistair Hamilton provided two twilight INSET evenings for primary school teachers on the topics of Magnets and Springs and Changing Sounds. The third twilight session on Sun, Earth and Moon will be on Tuesday 9th February 2010.
GlaxoSmithKline Young Scientist Day
Three year 11 students were successful in obtaining a place over half term for a day at GKS. They worked with professional chemists for the day and gained an insight into the role of a research scientist.
Eco-School report
We have now gained the Silver Standard Award and are working towards gaining the Green Flag. Houses now have eco representatives who attend meetings to discuss ways we can move forward in a sustainable way. We now collect the plastic cups after meals for recycling, together with cans, shoes and paper. February 1st sees the first day of a new initiative, ‘Sustainability Week’, when the whole school will focus on how we can all look at building sustainability into our future.
CADSAS
Cranbrook and District Science and Astronomy Society, is continuing to flourish with meetings on the second Monday of each month. The first three for 2010 will be ‘Also Viewing the Aurora in Alaska’, ‘Volcanoes’ and ‘The Story of the Enigma Machine’. The 22 ½ inch Alan Young reflecting telescope is the main project of the society but there are several smaller telescopes and binoculars available for use on regular viewing evenings. See the website for details:-
www.cadsas.com
Up and Coming Events.
1st – 5th February Sustainability Week9th February Primary teacher INSET 16.10 -17.30 Sun, Earth, Moon.
8th – 12th March National Science and Engineering Week.
Tuesday 9th March. Science evening for Cranbrook School Parents
Thursday 1st July Grand Family Astrobash 16.30 – 20.00 Opening of the Cranbrook Solar System model. Viewing of Moon rocks and meteorites. Inflateable planetarium and much more.
Schemes of work for primary school teachers can be found by accessing the following links:
