🧪 KS3 Science and iGCSE Biology Update

This week in KS3 Science, students began an exciting project to create clean drinking water whilst stranded on a desert island!

Using their knowledge of separating mixtures, pupils researched different methods of separating a solvent from a soluble solute before designing and building their own devices. Some students chose to create simple distillation systems, while others designed solar stills to collect fresh water from salt water.

The project has encouraged learners to think creatively, solve problems and apply their scientific understanding to a real-world survival scenario. Early results have been very promising, with our solar still already successfully separating salt from water. Next week, students will test and evaluate the effectiveness of their designs and compare their findings.

In iGCSE Biology, students completed their project-based assessment focused on creating a survival food box for someone stranded in an extreme environment. Each learner developed their own unique scenario, from surviving in remote rainforests to being stranded in a warzone or operating as a double agent behind enemy lines.

Using their knowledge of balanced diets, nutrients, digestion and absorption, students carefully selected foods that would meet the nutritional needs of their chosen individual for seven days. They justified every choice scientifically, considering energy requirements, vitamin and mineral intake, food storage and practicality.

It was fantastic to see the creativity and biological understanding demonstrated throughout the project. Many students discovered that tinned sardines are a surprisingly effective survival food, providing protein, healthy fats and vitamin D in a non-perishable form.

We have been incredibly impressed with the thought, effort and imagination that students have shown and look forward to seeing the final results of our water purification project next week.