Our year 13 pupils had prepared a lesson for the group based around the theme of energy.
The biologists, Amelie Vegter and Ollie Aledegbami had prepared a solution of algae that, when dripped into hydrogen carbonate solution turned into little balls, the hydrogen carbonate indicator started a yellow-orange colour and each pair of pupils set up a little vial of the algal balls. We then left the solution with a good light source for photosynthesis to occur and moved on to some chemistry experiments designed by Arent Riemer and Will Gutermann. The pupils carried out experiments that either released energy and became very hot or took in energy and became very cold, and they were completely astonished by the reaction that Arent showed them which reached a temperature lower than -30°C freezing the beaker to the wooden block that it was sitting on!
In physics, Melissa Shorter and Floris Van der Werff had planned an activity using circuits to look at energy conversions. The pupils had to investigate whether a series or parallel circuit was the best way of lighting a house, and then whilst playing with the resistance of the circuits the pupils realised that they had created dimmer switches.
We then all turned our attention back to the algal balls that had been busy photosynthesising and discovered that the indicator had changed colour to purple showing that due to photosynthesis in the algae the carbon dioxide had been used up and the originally acidic solution was now alkaline.
It was a very engaging afternoon for the year 6 pupils who enjoyed the lesson very much, but also our wonderful Sixth Form ambassadors took great pleasure in seeing the energy and enthusiasm of the young visitors.
Thank you to the Wyche Primary school for visiting and to our pupils for designing an exciting lesson.