Page 16 - Malvern Times - Issue 3

MALVERN TIMES Malvern Times
IN FOCUS: CHEMISTRY
16
Here at Malvern Times we were very curious about the scents (ok smells) that emanate from the Chemistry department on a regular basis. We ventured over to the Science Building to find out what goes on behind the scenes.
There are six Teachers of Chemistry at Malvern, ably supported by two technicians. When Malvern Times arrived, Teacher of Chemistry, Mr Newman was busy preparing starter questions, worksheets, and Hall (homework).
The next port of call was to the Technicians Laboratory, where Carla and Rowan cheerfully greet the Chemists, ready to
take instructions on the potions and lotions needed to deliver practical experiments to their classes.
“The U6th are extracting Limonene from oranges and lemons and the Remove (Yr10) are ‘cracking paraffin’. The delicious smell of citrus fruit will fill the corridors,” commented Mr Newman. “However, the paraffin experiment will create a stink that will linger for 48 hours, attracting comments, usually from the Physicists,” he added. Malvern Times noticed the slightest hint of a smile, but perhaps we imagined it. We will ask the Physicists about this when we ask them about their lesson prep.
We meet the Technicians, who are brilliant. Preparing everything from solutions and water baths to apparatus and stop clocks for each practical lesson that takes place in our six laboratories. Carla and Rowan also keep the coffee flowing, feed the teachers with cake, offer counsel, keep the place spick and span, and spirits high during exam marking and IB internal assessments.
Then it is time for the lesson to begin for 18 pupils from the Remove. Five minutes of starter questions gets the lesson
moving followed by ten minutes of group work as the pupils discuss the practical work and are encouraged to produce an experimental plan as much by themselves as possible. Thirty minutes of practical work follows with all skills on offer from collaboration to independent discovery, to communication and curiosity. Then follows a lot of activity as benches are cleaned down and apparatus is tidied away before discussing the learning outcomes before they head off to their next lesson.
The next lesson for Mr Newman is with the U6th. The A level class is smaller; 8 pupils instead of 18 and the dynamics are quite different. The delivery is much more adult and calmer. This lesson is predominately collaborative, with the pupils working in pairs as they discuss answers to the slightly unusual questions that they have been have set to get them thinking about Chemistry and not just about producing answers. After about twenty minutes the class discuss their thoughts on the topic and formalise their ideas.
“Science is more than a body of knowledge. It’s a way of thinking.”
Carl Sagan
American astronomer
Preparing a Chemistry lesson Molecules, Matter, Walnut and Coffee Cake