Teachers in the science department have been using technology in different ways in their classes. Here are a couple of examples of what technology in science has looked like recently here at Nayland.

New-to-Nayland science teacher Mr Cathman and 10H have been learning about what the concepts of power, mass, torque, force, work and energy have to do with robots. They’ve been hands-on with robots of all shapes and sizes, from your traditional ‘sauruses’ that move like dinosaurs to glowing, rainbow-coloured balls called spheros.

The class has enjoyed the opportunity to learn in a practical way by taking turns to be in charge of the controls or by observing what happens when others are at the ‘wheel’. “It’s more fun doing practical work,” class member Liam said. Others, such as Connor, echoed his sentiment. “Robotics are fun!”

Fellow classmate Zeeta was calmly in control as she directed one of the spheros to move in circular loops around her table. “You control it by using an app on your phone. They’re quite easy to control if you aim them and get the correct speed and stuff,” she said.

Shiah was happy to observe rather than steer the dinosaur robot at her table. “I kind of like to watch people playing with them because I’m scared I’m going to break them,” she said.

However, the class has found out that there are certain dangers to be aware of. “The helicopters can get stuck in your hair,” Josh said.

Meanwhile, 9A and Mrs Banke have used technology in their science class in a different kind of way, while carrying out their recent investigation into what types of soap kill bacteria. To get expert advice on the topic, they skyped Arizona soil ecologist researcher and microbiologist Aditi Sengupta.

Soil bacteria is Aditi’s area of speciality. From her, the class learnt that soap mainly helps to wash off the bacteria, rather than actually killing it. Aditi also told them about how sea levels rising may affect the microbes in the soil and how that will impact plants, as well as whether we will find micro-bacterial life on Mars!