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The Science Department kicked off the new year with an exciting array of hands-on activities and

experiments across different year groups. Here’s a look at the key events that took place in January,

where students engaged in practical science to deepen their understanding of various scientific

concepts.

Year 7 Science – Exploring Natural Plant Indicators

Our Year 7 students had a fascinating time creating and testing natural plant indicators. They

brought in everyday materials such as tea, turmeric, red cabbage, and red bougainvillea to make

natural pH indicators. The experiment involved testing these indicators with various substances,

including lime juice, soap water, vinegar, and toothpaste, to observe the color changes and

determine their acidic or basic nature. This hands-on activity helped students understand the

importance of natural indicators in identifying pH levels in different substances.

Year 8 Science – Exploring Refraction Through Optical Instruments and STEAM Learning

Year 8 Science students were given the task of applying their knowledge of refraction by working in

groups to construct various optical instruments. They successfully made microscopes, periscopes,

kaleidoscopes, pinhole cameras, and spectroscopes, reinforcing their understanding of light

behavior and its applications in real-world optical devices. This project was also a fantastic

example of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) integration, as

students combined scientific principles with creativity and engineering skills to design and build

functional models.

Additionally, Year 8 students conducted a practical to explore the pathway of light in reflection and

refraction. Using mirrors, glass blocks, and lasers, they visualized how light travels and changes

direction when it hits different surfaces, enhancing their understanding of optical phenomena.

Year 9 – Making of the DNA Model

Year 9 students have been learning about the structure of DNA. As part of their learning, they

created models to showcase their understanding of the double helix structure, inspired by the

groundbreaking work of Watson and Crick, who won the Nobel Prize for their discovery. This activity

helped students visualize the complexity and elegance of DNA.

Year 9 Physics – Micro:bit Programming

Year 9 Physics students explored the fundamentals of programming using Micro:bit. They engaged

in hands-on coding exercises, learning how to program the Micro:bit to perform various functions.This activity helped students develop their computational thinking skills and understand the

application of programming in physics experiments and real-world problem-solving.

Year 10 – Food Tests for Nutrient Analysis

Year 10 Biology students conducted a series of food tests to detect the presence of essential

macronutrients. They explored methods to identify starch using iodine solution, protein using the

biuret test, lipids with the emulsion test, and reducing sugars through Benedict’s test. These

experiments allowed students to see firsthand how different foods contain varying nutrients and

reinforced their understanding of biochemical compounds in our diet.

Year 12 – Investigating Osmosis in Plant Cells and Mitosis

The concept of osmosis was brought to life for Year 12 Biology students through an experiment

using potatoes. By placing potato slices in different concentrations of solutions, students observed

water movement across the cell membranes, gaining a deeper understanding of how osmosis

affects plant cells. This experiment provided a clear visual representation of water potential and its

impact on plant tissues.

Additionally, Year 12 students explored mitosis using colored thread to represent chromosomes.

They demonstrated the behavior of chromosomes at different stages during meiosis, enhancing

their understanding of cell division and genetic variation.

Year 13 – Membrane Permeability and Temperature Effects

Year 13 Biology students investigated how temperature influences the permeability of cell

membranes using beetroot. By subjecting beetroot samples to different temperatures and

measuring the leakage of pigment, students observed how temperature affects membrane integrity.

This experiment linked theoretical knowledge about cell structure to real-life applications,

emphasizing the importance of temperature regulation in biological systems.

These engaging experiments have allowed students to actively participate in the learning process,

making science both fun and educational. Stay tuned for more exciting activities and discoveries

from the Science Department in the coming months!