Taking place during the week commencing 10 March, the Science Department organised a wide range of hands-on experiments and challenges, sparking curiosity and excitement amongst pupils.

The week kicked off with a captivating cuttlefish dissection led by Mrs Howell. Pupils had the rare opportunity to explore the anatomy of these remarkable creatures, which are found off the British coast. Despite their unassuming appearance at the fishmongers, cuttlefish are closely related to squid and octopus and have some truly impressive features. Pupils learnt about their ability to release ink to confuse predators and their extraordinary camouflage skills — changing colour, pattern, and texture in less than a second! Their sophisticated vision, similar to human eyes, and ability to count left pupils amazed.

Next up was Demo Day for Year 9, where things really did go bang! From elephant’s toothpaste to custard fireballs, pupils experienced spectacular chemical reactions and hands-on experiments that brought science to life. (You can read more about Demo Day here).

Later in the week, Year 7 and Year 10 tackled the ‘Maggot’s Choice’ experiment. Pupils were tasked with discovering the preferred habitat of maggots by creating moist or dry, light or dark chambers and observing where the maggots gathered. Most pupils embraced the challenge with enthusiasm (and minimal squeals!) even when the maggots made a daring escape across the lab benches!

Exciting Experiences for Junior Pupils

British Science Week wasn’t just for the Seniors — the Junior pupils also enjoyed a week packed with hands-on scientific exploration.

Year 6 had an unforgettable trip to Ewhurst Park near Baughurst, where they explored the importance of pollinators, planted beans, and took part in an earthworm survey. The pupils learnt how different types of worms play a crucial role in soil health and had great fun digging to find as many as possible. They even tasted primroses and tried tree water — with mixed reactions!

Back in the lab, Year 6 also took part in an incredible heart dissection during their science lesson. Mrs Dennis demonstrated the live dissection of a sheep’s heart, explaining how the organ works and identifying the key parts essential for living creatures. Pupils watched in awe as they learnt about the heart’s chambers, valves, and how blood is pumped around the body. They even had the chance to handle the heart themselves — wearing gloves, of course! This hands-on experience gave them a real appreciation for the complexity of the human body.

Science Week also featured some exciting competitions. Year 6 took part in a BayLab competition, designing lab coats with creative and scientific flair, while Year 8 were tasked with designing a poster to present a new invention to improve air quality in buildings — producing some highly innovative ideas.

British Science Week was a fantastic celebration of scientific discovery, curiosity, and creativity. A huge thank you to the Science Department for organising such an inspiring and engaging week!