Gifted and Talented Master Class.

The Senior School held a day of events for some of the most talented pupils of local prep schools on 7th December.

The 14 students who chose to do Science were kept very busy with 4 separate activities.

Dr Steven Dawson demonstrated many of the properties of light starting with the use of a Laser to show both the invisibility of a beam of light and its straight line path. The fluorescent properties induced by ultra-violet followed and then chemo luminescence. Finally the mixing of coloured lights was demonstrated using stage lights.

The origins of colour in chemical solutions were investigated under the guidance of Mr Costly and Mr Webb. Starting with the reactions between a vanadium salt solution and zinc, the pupils followed the changing colour of the solution as the vanadium atoms regained their lost electrons. The ability of two colourless solutions to produce a vivid yellow precipitate when mixed was both near instantaneous and almost magical.

Mr Juniper then described the various opportunities to handle a range of animals in the school before introducing them to a royal python, leopard geckos, a rather lively scorpion which was definitely not to be touched, a tarantula which failed to gain universal admiration, and lastly the blue-tongued skink. This is the heaviest reptile in our collection and represents a half way stage between lizards and the more recent snakes and did meet with everyone’s approval.

Lastly Dr Allison, helped by Miss French, got them experimenting with the extraction of Apple juice using enzymes to maximise production. Having watched the pupils handle laboratory apparatus with skill and confidence throughout the morning, it was somewhat surprising to find that the use of the humble apple peeler was new to them! However with carefully measured amounts of apple pulp in 4 beakers they added equal volumes of water, of pectinase to break down the links between individual cells, of cellulase to break down the cell walls themselves, or a mixture of these two enzymes. After 15 minutes gentle warming each beaker was filtered into a measuring cylinder and the volume of juice collected was noted

The science department enjoyed the company of these enthusiastic and talented young people, who in turn enjoyed their experience of some quite advanced science.

Another group was based in the Drama department, where they were engaged in a stimulating workshop on Midsummer Night’s Dream. The pupils played there various roles with great enthusiasm and considerable skill.

The Ceramics option provided by our Art department allowed the pupils, under the guidance of Mr Hammond, to enjoy a few hours exploring form and surface decoration. Impressed pattern designs and large scale slab built construction enhanced the ceramics making skills of the group. A-level ceramics students were on hand to offer guidance and advice during the latter stages of the making. The project provided the students a chance to have a choice, make decisions and enjoy the wonders of working in clay. Their work is currently drying after which it will be fired and glazed and given to them