Chemistry Club
At WHGS our chemistry club is one of a number of science clubs that enable our Faculty to effectively support those students who are inquisitive, thoughtful and passionate about science. We recognise that the club should enable all students regardless of ability to be motivated and enthusiastic about science. We also acknowledge the important role such a club can play in supporting gifted and talented pupils.
The main objectives of the chemistry club are:
1. To extend the Curriculum beyond that offered in timetabled sessions:
There may be opportunities to pursue/reinforce work encountered within the normal timetable. Pupils can pursue work/targets over long periods of time not usually possible within a normal scheme of work;
There may be opportunities to undertake work not normally encountered within the routine timetable. This may provide the pupil, and indeed the teacher, with the opportunity to pursue a personal interest or hobby;
There may be opportunities for visitors/specialists to interact with a committed audience;
There may be opportunities to organise visits to venues of specific interest, e.g. a visit to an event of special interest or to a similar club in another school;
There may be opportunities to develop a project and to enter a competition. Such events can enhance the image, self-confidence and reputation of pupils.
2. Clubs allow non-specialist staff/parents/others with a particular interest or talent to offer their experience and/or time to broaden and enrich the Curriculum offered to the pupils.
3. Clubs allow pupils of different ages and abilities to interact.
4. Clubs allow pupils and staff to interact in a somewhat less formal manner. This can improve pupil/staff relationships in the classroom.
Present Club activities
This year sees the launch of our exciting new Chemistry Club, which will give pupils in years 7 through 9 the opportunity to explore Chemistry in a more hands on way. Allowing them to participate in fun experiments that are not covered on the curriculum. Experiments such as Bouncing Custard Balls, Fire Writing, Slime With A Twist and Disappearing Worms. Also Teacher demonstrations that are exciting but a little on the dangerous side, such as Howling Jelly Babies, Egg-splosion and many others. We will also be encouraging the pupils to take part in in-house quizzes and competitions to show that they have been learning all along.
Competitions
We also intend to be entering pupils from all years into various science and chemistry competitions that are held throughout the year. Hopefully showing them that Chemistry is not boring but lots of fun!! Competitions will include:-
| Competition | Open to who |
|---|---|
| RSC Top of the Bench | open to 14 - 16yr olds |
| Salters' Chemistry Camps | one lucky Year 10 pupil will be put forward to attend this years chemistry camp in the summer |
| Salters' Projects by Post | open to years 7 & 8 Small project on one of three subjects |
| Salters' Festival of Chemistry | open to all years a team will be chosen to represent the school |
| Science Challenge In association with BNFL | a project for 9 - 13 yr olds |
| Crest Awards In association with the British Association students | students work towards tiered awards through project work |
| RSC Chemistry Olympiads | held in two parts for lower and upper 6th formers |
Beagle 2 and Beyond
The possibility of life on Mars has long fascinated human observers. Of the many unanswered questions is the old age question:
Is mars capable to support life?
University of Manchester, October 11, 2005: The Royal Society of chemistry, Manchester and District section held its bi-annual Dalton lecture. The lecture was inaugurated in 1945 to commemorate the life and work of John Dalton, a British scientist whose atomic theory laid the foundation for the modern science.
The 33rd Dalton lecture was presented by Professor Colin Pillinger, a British scientist and planetary services professor at the Open University. The lord Mayor and Mayoress of Manchester were among distinguished guests to attend the lecture which was open to schools and the general public. Dr Roberts, along with Mr Simkin, Miss Wilkinson, Miss Bakare and 13 lower 6th students were in attendance.
Professor Pillinger discussed the scientific and emotional legacy of Beagle 2, Mars Express and his plans for a new voyage to the red planet.
Beagle 2 is a Mars probe or spacecraft, named after the HMS Beagle, the ship which carried Charles Darwin on the voyage which led to his discovery of natural selection and evolution. The project was a British-led effort as part of the European Space Agency's Mars Express mission.
Beagle 2 was launched in June 2003 scheduled to land on Mars on Christmas day; its main objectives were to search for the presence of water, carbonate minerals and organic residues, which would indicate the presence of life on Mars.
Since its launch "no bark" or signal has been detected from the probe and several attempts have been made by the team and NASA, to communicate with it.
Presently, Prof Pillinger and his team are working on a series of changes to the Beagle 2 design for the development of two new probes, such as better solar panels, a powerful communications system allowing it direct contact with Earth rather than via an orbiter, and improved airbags to cushion the landing. Also mission controllers would be able to analyse Mars's atmosphere before starting the landings, avoiding the risk of dust storms in the planet's atmosphere.
To avoid these dust storms which could have resulted in the spacecraft traveling too fast as it approached Mars' surface; its parachute and air bags would have failed to open with sufficient time to allow for a soft landing, Prof pillinger believes that the 2 new probes need to be launched within 2007 and 2009 after that it might be too late for any successful Mars exploration for the foreseeable future due to these so called dust storms.
SO WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE IS LIFE ON MARS ANYWAY?
"In the broadest sense, it would mean that we are not alone in the universe, explains Prof Pillinger. It could show that life developed on more than one planet in the solar system and would probably mean that it had started elsewhere. There could be myriads of stars, each with planets that teemed with life.
