The Salopian - Winter 2021

SCHOOL NEWS 17
breadth of science courses and careers available and to give
an insight into how to prepare for a successful university
application in the years before Sixth Form. Students and
parents alike battled to be named Kahoot champion, learning
A-Level requirements, the meaning of ‘MOOC’ and the
strengths of specific universities along the way.
Other sessions before Christmas have included visiting
speaker Sophie Carr (Bayes Consulting) bringing a fast-paced
session on Bayesian statistics, with insight into her world of
work, and an extraordinary demonstration of the ‘shortest
network’ between points being solved by soap bubbles,
delivered by Mr Payne. The latter was also demonstrated by
the students as they mastered Pythagoras’ Theorem and used
their calculators to confirm findings with the table and graphplotting
functions.
In the Sciences, Mr Wray and Mr Murray have led Chemistry
sessions investigating the rates of chemical reactions and
the make-up of unknown substances respectively; Miss
Micklewright showed how calibration of colourimetry may
be used to investigate the quantity of protein in different
birds’ eggs and led discussion on why there would be a
difference; and Mr Cooley used the principles of reflection
to get the students to work out the ideal shape of a satellite
dish or car headlamp. Finally, a real highlight was the handson
beekeeping experience led by Ms Fletcher, with links to
ecology and biodiversity.
At the time of writing, we are looking forward to exchanging
teachers with Oundle for a STEM Potential day, as we
continue to foster our strong relationship and share best
practice to deliver the best possible experience and outcomes
for the STEM Potential students. In particular, we welcome
back Steve Adams, formerly Head of Science at Shrewsbury,
who has stepped into the role of Outreach Scientist at Oundle
and led the roll-out of STEM Potential there.
Complementary to the masterclass events, we are
collaborating with Imperial College and Oundle in offering
‘Meet the Researcher’ talks for all STEM Potential year groups
(Years 10-13) once each half-term. These enable the pupils
to understand the breadth of industry and research that
STEM courses could lead to and perhaps find their own
passion. In addition, the fact that the pupils are able to ask
researchers and student ambassadors at Imperial direct
questions that relate either to their research or life at
university, is a wonderful opportunity and helps to build
confidence and make attending a university like Imperial
College feel much more achievable. Research talks this
year on measuring biodiversity using recorded rainforest
background noise, effectively harnessing geothermal
energy, developing cures for tuberculosis or Alzheimer’s
and the technology developed for use on the latest Mars
Rover have all been fascinating and enjoyable.
It is hoped that in the near future the STEM Potential
programme will develop to include a trip to visit Imperial
College and use their laboratory facilities. We also hope to
host a Space Science day with Imperial staff giving talks
in their portable planetarium, not to mention our plans for
continuing to grow the number of cohorts annually to four
– one each for Years 10-13.
David Wray