This term has seen KS3 science club start up once again, with a fantastic number of curious young scientists participating in a range of fun and educational activities during lunchtimes in the science block. Several science teachers have planned and coordinated enjoyable and exciting activities, designed to promote scientific learning and engagement from a young age.

Amongst these activities, we have seen balloon rockets being made, exploring the effect of Newton’s third law of motion (for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction…) Students were able to build their own rockets, and then compete against each other to see whose rocket could fly the furthest.

Students have also explored the science of colour, through the use of flame tests. Given that different substances produce distinctively coloured flames, including visually appealing green, orange and lilac flames, young scientists were able to use their practical skills to identify these different substances by the colour they produce when exposed to a Bunsen burner flame.

Plasticine boats have also been built, with students designing a boat to make it buoyant and then investigating the features which would allow it to support the most weight without sinking. This activity allowed students to think critically about design, with an intelligent and collaborative approach taken by the students.

We have also extracted DNA from strawberries. By crushing the strawberries, then making a special extraction mixture, students were able to successfully extract, isolate and observe the DNA of strawberries. This experiment allowed students to identify the genetic information present in all living organisms, and to gain an appreciation of the significance of DNA.

KS3 science club takes place weekly in the science block at lunchtimes, with enjoyable activities planned for enthusiastic young year 7 and year 8 scientists.