Science in COVID Times Our Science Department has been determined to ensure that despite the restrictions brought achieve the Bronze Award, learners about by Covid guidelines, need to have a minimum of 250 Cobham Hall students should still points and these points must be have the opportunity to made up of at least 50 from each experiment in Science. Despite core category (Citizen, Worker, difficult circumstances, practical Maker, Entrepreneur). Topics work has still been undertaken. covered include as cybersecurity, Laboratory Technician Mrs cloud computing, e-safety, animation, growth hacking, customer Howard explains.
Awards in Computing Our Computing Department celebrated this term with awards being given to four students in national activities. The Department once again entered the Bebras Computing Competition in association with Oxford University. Fantastically, two girls – Martha and Alana - were awarded Gold, placing them in the top 10% of the country in their age group. Additionally, we were delighted to hear that Elizabeth and Emilia were the deserving recipients of the School’s first iDEA Bronze Awards. iDEA, the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award, is an international programme that helps develop digital, enterprise and employability skills and is the digital and enterprise equivalent of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. To
relationship management and web development.
Elizabeth said of the Awards, “I enjoyed learning more about the digital world. It was fun, yet very educational and full of teamwork. I learnt more words and their meanings, which I used in other subjects. iDEA was very challenging but my amazing teacher, Mr Eyers, helped me through the difficult questions. I like the idea of iDEA and definitely recommend it for everyone.”
Despite some bubbles not having access to the laboratories, we adapted practicals to enable them to be carried out whenever possible. For example, in Lower School Year 7 learned how to use a microscope and used it to look at a slide of an onion cell, and tested a range of household substances. Year 8 had the opportunity to try eating some freeze-dried insects, while Year 9 tested a range of foods for the presence of starch using Iodine; and investigated the reaction of hydrochloric acid on different metals in Chemistry, testing the gas given off, leading to some interesting photos of their surprised faces! Upper School students have been enjoying practical work. Year 10 investigated how colour affects heat loss, made circuits and learned about resistance. Year 11 and Sixth Form had mornings of practical work to develop their knowledge and refresh their practical skills within the laboratory environment, whilst including students who were still remote learning.
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