Framlinghamian 2023-2024 Single page - web 144dpi - Flipbook - Page 13
SPIRIT OF INQUIRY
lecture on studying biology at UCL.
of breaking down plastic. Using Dr
Bertocchini’s discovery as a case study, the
pupils brainstormed how they would test
In April, our A-Level Biology pupils
this methodology and demonstrated how
travelled to Cambridge Botanic
they would track results.
Gardens for an exciting day of handson experience and exclusive access into
Further elements of the conference
their rare and wonderful plants. Housing
programme included, in Lab 1, pupils
over 8,000 plant species, pupils were
working on an insect practical;
able to go behind the scenes at the
investigating the behaviours of woodlice
Gardens and delve into the horticultural
depending on habitat chamber. Following
science, research, and maintenance of
the hypothesis that ‘woodlice have a
Cambridge’s amazing plant collection.
preference to dark, damp areas’, the
pupils placed the woodlice into a variety
It’s not just biology that is sky-rocketing in
of di昀昀erent environmental chambers and
popularity at the College, engineering is
analysed their responses and changes in
also popular, exempli昀椀ed by four aspiring
behaviour.
rocketeer engineers from Year 9 who
headed to the Stow Maries Great War
In Lab 2, pupils were introduced to
Aerodrome for the Regional Round of the
the principles of digestion and enzyme
UK Youth Rocketry Challenge competition.
immobilisation with a practical exercise
Competing against 31 other schools,
of separating and extracting the lactose
the team’s goal was to create a rocket
from milk. It is estimated that 75% of the
capable of a successful launch above
world’s population is intolerant to lactose
500 feet, deploying the parachute, and
in adulthood, so in this activity pupils were
landing it safely enough to protect its
challenged to immobilise the lactose in
precious cargo of a fresh egg. A very well
calcium alginate beads, held within a
done to the team, who came in 8th place,
small column over which the milk was
just missing out on a place in the Nationals.
passed.
Two of the Year 9 pupils who took part
Lab 3 saw the ‘Moss Safari’ project
in the competition have taken their
where pupils searched for ‘The Big
passion for space exploration outside
Five’ - multicellular animals (Moss Mites,
of the classroom. Harry W and Bertie B,
Rotifer, Nematode, Tardigrade and
showcased how teamwork, perseverance
Gastrotrich) - under the microscope at low
and patience can reap impressive
magni昀椀cations from x40 to x100.
rewards, working together to capture a
photo of Jupiter, described as the best
Professor Stephen Price concluded
image of the planet captured by amateur
the conference with an inspirational
astronomists.
biosciences masterclass in our theatre,
Inspired by the capabilities of the
o昀昀ering pupils an introductory taster
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