Can photosynthesis happen in the dark? Do you understand Spaghettification?  Why do we get scared?

These topics and more were all shared as part of the Kingshill School Final for FameLab Academy, a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition, run by Cheltenham Festivals as part of its Science for Schools programme.

This is our fourth year of taking part in the competition designed to develop communication skills and it was once again a huge success.  All of Year 9 took part by preparing talks to present to their class. They gave a 2/3-minute presentation without notes or electronic visual aids and were judged on the content of the talk, the clarity of their story and their charisma and ability to engage the audience.  The class then voted on their favourite talks and we ended up with our eight finalists.

The finalists and talks were:

• Freya B - 'Can photosynthesis happen when there is no light?'
• Emily H - ‘Different ways to treat animals’
• Faye D - ‘One food Process’
• Cerys L - ‘Spaghettification’
• Isabelle S - ‘Anesthetics and operations’
• Rowan - ‘Why we get scared’
• Oliver K- ‘Atoms’
• Oliver K – ‘Energy’

The finalists were then judged by Faisal Jina, our linked STEM Mentor who works in the area of Artificial Intelligence, Mr. S. Pritchard, our Deputy Head and Adrian Thomas our Chair of Governors. It was an incredibly tough final with fantastic talks and the judges found it extremely difficult to select just one winner! However, they finally agreed to send Isabelle to represent Kingshill at the Gloucestershire School final. Isabelle used her own personal experience of anaesthetics to research the topic and her talk explored how they have developed over time.  With the use of simple atomic models, she brought the topic to life and everyone agreed she was a worthy winner.   

Well done to all Year 9 pupils, especially the finalists and we wish Isabelle good luck in the Gloucestershire School Final later in March.

Mrs. S. Pearson, Head of Science