Years 9 and 10 visited the Science Museum in June to enhance their Science studies. Museum galleries are varied to interest all types of visitors and we looked at three very different galleries.
We first looked at the History of Medicine where dioramas showed how medical techniques progressed through the centuries. The Year 10 historians quickly related this gallery to their history studies. We were all amazed how patients survived before the advent of anesthesia and antibiotics.
We learnt about different medicines and operations and how painful and ill-equipped they were. We saw the huge changes and breakthroughs that have been made in Science. Jess Year 9.
We got an insight into operations in the 1880’s compared to today. Nowadays operations are a lot more hygienic and surgeons understand the body well enough to make sure people are as good as new. A lot of people didn’t survive surgery in 1888 but today most surgery is unlikely to be deadly. Heloise Year 9 One picture in particular took me by surprise; it showed medical people dissecting a body in the University of Bologna in the 14th century. I noticed there were no signs of disinfectant or any kind of cleaning facilities. By looking at the body you could see that you couldn’t store the body for long, but these days you can keep bodies longer and find out more information. Imani Year 9
Next stop was the IMAX cinema and the 3D film International Space Station, no matter how often you see a 3D film people want to reach out to feel what they are observing.
I found out how astronauts work in space, such as the robotic arm which moves them around so they can repair parts of the outside of the ship. If they drift away they have a jet pack so they can get back to the ship. I liked the 3D effect because it felt like we were in there. It gave you a different view of Earth. Natasha Year 9
I liked how the first Russian rocket went into space. We looked at what astronauts have been doing in space. Alisa Year 9
It was interesting learning how astronauts live for months in space in weightless conditions. They practice underwater because it’s the closest thing to working in weightless conditions. This was an amazing film as it was in 3D. you could almost reach out and touch it. Many tried too! Fleur Year 9
After lunch we visited Launch Pad, it gives everyone the opportunity to try out scientific experiments. By Year 9, pupils have the scientific knowledge to understand why the experiment works. Some experiments explain basic physical concepts but others have practical applications.
The exhibits that interested me were the Icy Bodies and the See-through Walls. The Icy Bodies showed how frozen carbon dioxide turned from a solid to a gas. The See-through Walls let you see your friend on the other side of the wall; but they didn’t tell you how they did it! Korkor year 9
There was a sound box which sent vibrations along the bar. We had to put a straw in the middle of the bar and bite on it; with your ears closed you can hear the song in your head. This is because the vibrations travel faster through solid materials, so the vibrations travelled through your teeth and bones and into your head. The song was in your head. Hira Year 9
In the Bubble Wall you could see bubbles building up between two glass sheets and once it builds up to the top water is released to send them floating down to the bottom where the pump pushed soapy water back up again. This was interesting, not just for the build up of bubbles but how they look under the microscope.
The Launch Pad was the gallery in the Science Museum which had experiments you could try out yourself. Sophie Year 10
The aim of the visit was to show some practical applications of Science and how ideas have developed through research based on the evidence we already have.
The Year 7 and 8 girls visited the Natural History Museum in the summer term.
The main focus of the trip was to consolidate and expand their knowledge of Ecology. The girls spent some time in the Ecology wing of the museum before heading into the muggy, hot ‘Butterfly Jungle’. Inside the girls saw a range of South American animals and plants, they also got extremely hot and sticky which gave them an insight to what it would feel like to live in a jungle habitat.
The afternoon was finished off by watching a brand new show on Biodiversity. The museum is a world leader in Taxonomy and Zoology and the ‘real life’ giant squid was a good end to the day. The girls were all very well behaved and travelled very sensibly on public transport.
“The show was telling us that there is 30 million different species in the whole world” Alex Year 8
