Advanced Higher Biology Practical Day
As part of our Advanced Higher Biology course, our class of seven students was invited to take part in a practical day at Aberdeen University. We were given the brilliant opportunity to use equipment that is used in a professional laboratory as well as attending interactive lectures. It gave us a great insight into how we would be taught at the University.
The experiment we conducted involved cutting up DNA with enzymes and separating it with electricity. It is known as Gel Electrophoresis. Gel Electrophoresis involves DNA being extracted from the cells of a plant or animal. The sample is then chopped up using restriction enzymes, and the samples are placed into wells in an agarose gel. The gel functions like a sieve allowing small pieces of DNA to move quickly while larger pieces move slowly. The gel is covered with a conducting buffer and an electrical current is passed across it. Since DNA has a negative charge, it migrates towards the anode, leading to the separation of DNA. This technique is frequently used in Forensic Investigations to help solve crimes.
We all found the day very interesting and enjoyable, taking away skills we can transfer to our own investigations in the future.
Ruth Bryce 6KEC and Keren Lovie 6AYD
STEM in the Pipeline
A team of S6 pupils are working on a project using their Science, Maths and Engineering knowledge and skills. They have to study geological surveys and make economic decisions to produce a field development plan for an oil well. The team are mentored by Chris Hill a Geophysicist at BP, and will present their work at an event in December. They are competing against 15 other schools from across Aberdeen City and Shire.
The team comprises Finlay Smith, Crawford Ritchie, Alex Knapper, Douglas Park, Sean Clark and Meriem Kouadria. The team is drawing on skills developed in their work for the Energy Apprentice competition last year.
Off-Shore Europe
A group of S5 pupils attended the Energise your Future event at Off-Shore Europe. Pupils met engineers from a variety of companies and were given a tour of the exhibition. Opito gave pupils information about the variety of routes available into a career in the Energy sector including the Modern Apprentice scheme.
Advanced Higher Sciences at Aberdeen University
Pupils in the Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry classes have attended practical activity days at Aberdeen University. They enjoyed the experience of using new and unfamiliar apparatus and will use their skills and knowledge to help with their project work. Advanced Higher Physics pupils will have a similar event later next term.
Science Baccalaureate
Three S6 pupils have embarked on the challenging Science Baccalaureate Inter-disciplinary Project. They have chosen projects investigating foetal and maternal health, selective breeding in the North East livestock industry and strandings of whales and dolphins. Pupils will be sharing their research findings with other pupils throughout the year.
Advanced Higher Project Planning
Mike Duncan from Morrisons, the construction company, gave S6 pupils a workshop in project planning. Pupils learned skills which will be very useful when it comes to planning any task or event in the future.
S4 Science
The National 4 Science class have been working on a unit about Water. Craig Christie from Scottish Water visited to give an overview of local water treatment and use. The class also visited the local stretch of the River Don with a Ranger to investigate the ecosystem. Pupils sampled invertebrates and carried out measurement tasks. On Fridays, the class are learning about the local environment with visits around the Kemnay area.
STEM in the Pipeline
A team of S6 pupils are working on a project using their Science, Maths and Engineering knowledge and skills. They have to study geological surveys and make economic decisions to produce a field development plan for an oil well. The team are mentored by Chris Hill a Geophysicist at BP, and will present their work at an event in December. They are competing against 15 other schools from across Aberdeen City and Shire.
The team comprises Finlay Smith, Crawford Ritchie, Alex Knapper, Douglas Park, Sean Clark and Meriem Kouadria. The team is drawing on skills developed in their work for the Energy Apprentice competition last year.
Off-Shore Europe
A group of S5 pupils attended the Energise your Future event at Off-Shore Europe. Pupils met engineers from a variety of companies and were given a tour of the exhibition. Opito gave pupils information about the variety of routes available into a career in the Energy sector including the Modern Apprentice scheme.
Advanced Higher Sciences at Aberdeen University
Pupils in the Advanced Higher Biology and Chemistry classes have attended practical activity days at Aberdeen University. They enjoyed the experience of using new and unfamiliar apparatus and will use their skills and knowledge to help with their project work. Advanced Higher Physics pupils will have a similar event later next term.
Science Baccalaureate
Three S6 pupils have embarked on the challenging Science Baccalaureate Inter-disciplinary Project. They have chosen projects investigating foetal and maternal health, selective breeding in the North East livestock industry and strandings of whales and dolphins. Pupils will be sharing their research findings with other pupils throughout the year.
Advanced Higher Project Planning
Mike Duncan from Morrisons, the construction company, gave S6 pupils a workshop in project planning. Pupils learned skills which will be very useful when it comes to planning any task or event in the future.
