Computing and Science

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 achieve the Bronze Award, learners need to have a minimum of 250 points and these points must be made up of at least 50 from each core category (Citizen, Worker, Maker, Entrepreneur). Topics covered include as cybersecurity, cloud computing, e-safety, animation, growth hacking, customer 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.”

Science in COVID Times

Our Science Department has been determined to ensure that despite the restrictions brought about by Covid guidelines, Cobham Hall students should still have the opportunity to experiment in Science. Despite difficult circumstances, practical work has still been undertaken. Laboratory Technician Mrs Howard explains.

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.