Gairloch pupils study solar eclipse on science day.
As part of Gairloch High School’s involvement in the Rolls Royce Science Prize for UK schools, pupils will have a full day of events (on 20 March 2015) focusing on the awareness and quality of science learning.
Weather monitors purchased by the Geography department are going to be used by pupils in the reporting and analysis of the total eclipse of the sun tomorrow morning. Measurements such as temperature, humidity levels, cloud cover and wind speeds will be taken meaning that the research is not dependent on it being a sunny day.
Emma Smith, Geography Teacher signed her pupils up for a national citizen’s science project run by the University of Reading and the BBC as part of nationwide reporting of the eclipse. She was delighted when that offer was not only accepted for the data to be logged into a national database, but also BBC Radio 5 Live will broadcast from the school at between 8am and 9am and then again at around 9.35am - 9.40am near maximum eclipse. In the lead up to the event S1 pupils have been making pin-hole cameras just in case the cloud breaks!
Professor David Barclay will present a keynote speech to S2 and then talk to S3 pupils on the use of technical data and analysis of text as good or bad science in fictional writing and Neil Chattle, Rolls Royce Engineer, will be talking to senior pupils about engineering apprenticeships, the design of engines and what might make engines fail.
Other events in school tomorrow include Jennifer Port, a formal pupil now studying for a PhD at The Beatson Institute, Glasgow working with S2 pupils doing experiments in DNA profiling.
The school has already received £6,000 from the Rolls Royce prize fund. This has enabled the school to buy equipment beyond its normal budget. Gairloch is the only Scottish school among nine finalists hoping to win a £10,000 first prize. The equipment purchased will enable the school to access digital techniques normally associated with further or higher learning institutions.
Further details about Gairloch High School’s involvement in the Rolls-Royce Science Prize can be viewed at: https://gairlochhighhome.wordpress.com/rr-updates-monthly/