Science fair finalists fizzle with facts!

Key stage 3 scientists displayed and discussed their projects to judges at the Science Fair on Wednesday 3rd July

On Wednesday 3rd July 2024, all the science fair finalists set up and discussed their projects with the judges, hoping to win prizes as well as having the chance to impress everyone with their hard work.

The projects were varied, ranging from discussions about cosmetic foundations and their effectiveness to the complexity of black holes! The judges were Alumni students and STEM professionals from the local community, as well as some Bishop’s staff who have specialisms in STEM subjects. We were very lucky to have such distinguished people as judges.

An award was given to a group who displayed the Bishop’s 360 character by stepping in at the last minute. They completed a project on the chemistry of fireworks. The literacy prize was awarded to a Year 8 group who discussed DNA in different organisms and their display was a mixture of printed work, hand written pieces, drawing and a DNA model. In third place and also awarded the Student Vote was a Year 7 group that looked at the effects of different liquids on the growth of plants. Second place was given to another Year 7 team that completed an investigation into the effect of age on the sense of smell. Finally, the overall winners was a Year 8 team that asked ‘Why do things taste sour’. They had completed an investigation but continued testing everyone, including the judges, at the Science Fair final by asking them to eat a certain brand of sweets with their eyes shut then holding their nose. The sweets did taste less sour even with your eyes shut!

We all had a great day and, as for my team, we won the numeracy prize for measuring the height of our fountains when different mints were added to different fizzy drinks- so we were all very happy.

Evie M