How Northbridge Secondary students learn thinking skills and practical abilities through Science

How Northbridge Secondary students learn thinking skills and practical abilities through Science From writing hypotheses to learning about black holes and experimenting with refraction of light, students at Northbridge International School Cambodia are taking their Science very seriously this academic year. With the lead of an amazing group of teachers, students from all grade levels are developing thinking skills, practical abilities and exploring the world around them. Here, a small sample of what has been happening in the Science Department.

From writing hypotheses to learning about black holes and experimenting with refraction of light, students at Northbridge International School Cambodia are taking their Science very seriously this academic year. With the lead of an amazing group of teachers, students from all grade levels are developing thinking skills, practical abilities and exploring the world around them. Here, a small sample of what has been happening in the Science Department.

GRADE 6 - HYPOTHESIZING ABOUT THE WORLD

The first unit this year in Grade 6 is about the scientific method. Mr Jack, Ms Gill and Mr Andy have been leading students to thoroughly follow the steps of the scientific method.

Experiments in the classroom, the science lab and the maker space have given our 6th graders the opportunity to come up with their own hypotheses and to check them through careful experimentation.

Students self assessed their work and also got feedback from their teachers and reflected on what went well and how they could improve their reports. They are building skills that are essential for both the MYP and the DP programmes.

GRADE 10 - DISCOVERING THE MYSTERIES OF THE UNIVERSE

In their unit on Astrophysics, Grade 10 students have done research to learn what black holes really are and what would happen if you fell into one. Using different sources of information and evaluating what the internet has to offer is an essential skill that all IB students will develop.

Practical skills are also important and that is why the class simulated the impact of meteorites using marbles and sand to investigate the effect of the dropping height on the diameter of the crater left by the marble. Collecting data, processing it and evaluating the experimental results is at the core of the MYP Sciences.

GRADE 12 - INVESTIGATING THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF PERSPEX

Students in the IB Diploma Sciences, engage in a series of prescribed experiments designed to enrich their knowledge and practical skills. One of these investigations is about the refraction of light and the properties of different transparent media.

A dark lab was required for Grade 12 students to be able to see and measure how light bends as it goes through Perspex (a form of transparent acrylic) and collect the data required to calculate the refractive index of this material.

Experiments like this one are used as part of the external assessments so this type of activity not only strengthens their knowledge but prepares them for their final DP exams.

FIRST AID - A KEY ELEMENT IN LABS

Part of being in the Nord Anglia family is to care about health and safety. The Science department at Northbridge takes this very seriously and this is why a session on first aid was arranged with all Science teachers and our lab technician under the guidance of Nurse Cherry. 

Procedures to deal with chemical burns, CPR and general first aid techniques were shared and practiced using Little Annie (our CPR training manikin). It was a session full of learning and fun for all the members of the science department that takes us one step further in providing the best and safest learning experiences to our students.

A lot is going on in the Science Department at Northbridge and it is great to see how teachers and students are giving true testimony of having Caring Hearts and Ambitious Minds. Much more to come and to celebrate!