Sports school is science champ

Date published: 12 April 2010

Sports school is science champ

CLUED-up young scientists from Fearns Community Sports College fended off stiff competition to be crowned East Lancashire Triple Science champions.

Seven year nine pupils researched nuclear power, the arguments for and against. They also visited a nuclear power station, Wylfa on Anglesey, where they interviewed workers.
They made a video and organised a Question Time-style debate, chaired by the school’s own David Dimbleby Megan Cartridge, where fellow students posed questions to the science pupil panel.

Pupils researched the political side of the industry and produced posters, and leaflets in favour and opposed to nuclear power. They presented their findings at Burnley College in a competition against four other schools.

Science teacher Claire Haigh said: “The feedback we received was excellent. The seven really knew their subject and it was remarked on how in-depth their knowledge was.
“They looked at it from the perspective of residents’ feelings, Greenpeace, the government and other political parties and also the fact it leads to jobs being created.
“All of the class helped towards the final submission. I am very proud of the effort that the pupils have put in and delighted that they won.”

Stephen Ashurst, Dean Kilshaw, Daniel Robinson, Mackenzie Harrop, Olivia Foy, Harry Barcroft and Jordan Hilton represented Fearns.

Olivia, 14, said: “We were a bit nervous because we didn’t know what they were going to ask us but we knew all the answers to their questions. I am really happy that we won.”
Pupils are now given the option of taking triple science at Fearns, this allows them to gain three GCSEs in the separate subjects of biology, physics and chemistry. Previously they could either study a general dual science GCSE or BTEC science course.

Miss Haigh added: “Triple science aims to encourage more students to carry the subject forward to A level and degree standard.”