On 1 October, our three SJCS Science quiz teams competed in the Finals of the Quiz Club National Inter-School Championships, postponed from last term. There were 442 teams (1768 children) from 308 schools taking part in the Science Championship during the last academic year and there were 51 teams (200 children – allowing for the teams with less than 4 players) from 44 schools in the Finals. As always, the questions were beyond theknowledgeof the National Curriculum but the children took the challenge in their stride and battled it out for a tied 4th place and 18th place.
The annual National Years 5 and 6 (Forms 3 and 4) Science Championship is an exciting and challenging way for children to broaden their scientific knowledge as well as for young scientists to showcase their abilities as part of a team representing the school. From the solar system to the smallest creatures on earth, from inventions that transform the world to science on everyday lives, the Quiz encourages participants to explore science in a fascinating, engrossing and educational way.
The children participated individually on iPads and each child’s score was added to the team total. The Quiz comprised of 40 multiple choice science questions covering subjects such as human biology, astronomy, great inventors and inventions, physics, zoology, ecology, earth science, oceanography, geology, meteorology, botany and chemistry. Questions included: ‘What carries messages between the brain and different parts of the body?’, ‘What term describes a plant with a relatively short life cycle?’, ‘What is roughly the same length as an astronomical unit?’, ‘What is the phenomenon experienced when the sound of a car alters pitch as it approaches and passes by?’, ‘Where does a fox live?’ and ‘Which British wartime mathematician, cryptanalyst and logician was credited with inventing computer science and the idea of the computer?’
Science teacher, Miss Rachel Brunning commented, “I am very proud of all the children who took part since this time last year when the teams were formed. They worked together very well, especially in the earlier stages where they were able to collaborate as a team - they used the 50/50 technique and saw that they had 4 votes as a team, rather than individually. Each player took their role seriously and completed lots of extra revision out of school. We are extremely proud of their hard work, amazing knowledge and dedication; they are a true credit to the school.”