GSS 2018

Celebrating science

This year’s theme is ‘Protest: Our voices in the world’

Our second annual Science Symposium took place on Monday 26th March 2018.

Ten students from each school with the Trust secured their place with their entry in to the protest placard competition.

Students had a full day of scientific activities hosted by award winning scientists and outreach groups. The day was a great opportunity for our young Griffins to experience the latest developments in the world of science and technology. Pupils were also treated to an exhibition featuring world class female scientists.

These included a team from the Open University, Health and Chemical Sciences Outreach Group who worked with students on discovering ‘who stole the car’, using a forensic technique called paper chromatography.

The theme was explored across the Griffin Schools Trust not only from an scientific approach, but also from the perspective of community and art at both our Founders Day and the Arts Festival last year.

Workshops

John Dunn, helped students to build an electric motor, while the Oxford University Chemistry Department enabled pupils to investigate endothermic reaction using a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, citric acid and sugar- otherwise known as sherbert.

Other workshops included the making of scented bath bombs by the Outreach and Access Officer, Emily Jones, from the University of Reading, while the RSC funded organisation, Chemistry at Work, had pupils and students analysing plant samples to gain insight in the important environmental role played by soil carbon.

Sixth formers from Trust secondaries led presentations on the current threat facing our oceans and Mr Dan, from the Royal Institution outreach team experimented with the explosive power of electricity!

Our own Allen Tsui, from Willow Brook Primary, led an inspiring workshop enabling students to build and use their own laptops provided by KANO, based on impressive Partnership work from our East London schools.

Our keynote speaker for the day was Dr Anne Edwards, a renowned plant research scientist. She welcomed the ‘Griffin Scientists’, and launched the day with ‘Plants in Protest’, which examined how plants communicate with their surroundings, followed by a workshop to investigate how peas use natural bacteria in the soil to make their own fertiliser

The day was rounded off with a celebratory plenary session, where awards were given to the most outstanding scientists of the day. The questions from our pupils were thought provoking and challenging, leading us no doubt that Protest can and will lead to change both now and in the future.