PHYSICALSCIENCE2001 ACADEMIC 2001 proved, once again, to be very busy, but it was also a very interesting, exciting and challenging year for the Science Department. We congratulate our 2001 matricpupils on afineperformance in theirfinal examinations. There was no change in staff this year, but with Outcomes Based Education being used mote and mote in the classroom, new ideas have been developed and tried out in every grade. The trend is towards skills based projects done by the pupil with minimal help from the teacher, who acts as a facilitator. Since Science is a practical subject, it easily lends itself to this approach and lessons have been enjoyed by staff and learners working together towards acommon goal. We continued with our Grade 8 elective this year, with modifications and improvements,and also introduced a Grade9elective -'Steam power to nuclear power'. This involved rhe construction ofa steam car by each of the pupils and led on to the power production by a nuclear power station with a trip ro the University of Natal, Durban, to see the effects of radioactivity and the use ofa Geiger counter. We congratulate our 2001 matric pupils on a fine performance in their final examinarions. Higher Grade: A B C D E Standard Grade B C D 15 13 21 10 2 What was especially pleasing was the 79% of pupils who gained a C symbol and above,and the fact that such a lot ofextra work had been done in preparation for these exams. Perhaps the results might have better still if the chemistry paper had not been written as the very last exam on a Monday - it must have been very difficult to remain motivated to the very end. We are very forrunare in having very dedicated and resourceful teachers,each with different areas ofexpertise who have combined to give the boys a well rounded educarion in physical science. It is important to develop thinking skills in grades 8,9 and 10 which can then be used as building blocks in grades 11 and 12 and hence help the pupils to produce rhese excellent results. EXTENSION In the third rerm. Professor Mike Laing who was professor of inorganic chemistry ar the University of Natal, Durban, kindly came ro Kearsney to speak to the Grade 10 Science pupils about the historical development ofthe periodic table. He returned in the fourth term to give a chemical magic show for the grade 9 pupils. This show, complete, with flashes, bangs and colourful explosions was greatly enjoyed by all, and demonstrates that Chemistry can be fun! SCIENCE OLYMPIAD 2001 M Davy,J Hotz, and A McMahon were invited to participate in the second round of the Science Olympiad. Congratulations to these boys. J BROADBENT 70
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTc3MDU5Nw==