We were competing against other schools in Luton; though we were told that it was merely a ‘friendly meet’ (pah) Palpable tension filled the room as we helped ourselves to biscuits and juice. Our eyes scanned the opposition- time to put our game faces on.
The rounds were split into Chemistry, Physics and Biology. There were two rounds for each Science, one being a question round and the other a practical (fun). The question rounds were not a particular favourite with my team as we constantly argued as to which answer to choose, then chose the wrong answer anyway.
On March 18th, along with Mrs. Connington and five of my peers went to Luton Sixth Form College to participate in the Science Masterclass. We were split into two groups- Icknield Green and Icknield Blue. The different colours meant that we would not do the practicals with the other Icknielders, which was good as that meant that there were double points up for grabs that Icknield could potentially get (if you won a practical, you got points).
For the first practical, we had to try locating an epicentre (the point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake) on a graph having already embarrassed ourselves by frantically running and hopping around on one of the college’s many courts. Icknield Blue were the closest to finding it and won some points, as did Icknield Green. We were accused of not showing correlation between our results and our outcome by another school, meaning that we should have lost, but we had already deduced that they were sore losers.
Along came another question round (Chemistry this time), to which we did fairly poorly again but Icknield Green did pretty well. We then set off into another classroom for the Chemistry practical. We had 5 or so solutions which we had to analyse and ‘prescribe’ to certain patients after having read their requirements. We handed the professor our results first (as did Icknield Green) and were once again awarded bonus points.
After lunch we returned to the first classroom for one last question round of Physics questions. We then did the Physics practical in which we had to construct a bridge out of a limited amount of spaghetti, paper, Sellotape and jelly babies in the desired time. It had to withstand the weight of 100 grams for a few seconds. Luckily for us the 6th Form students who were adjudicators happened to be old Icknielders with much pride for their former school. Both Icknield groups had done well we thought, but we weren’t allowed to know. We also got out our Red Noses to celebrate Comic Relief, (something Mr Blackhurst would not have allowed us to do at Icknield!).
All the schools shuffled into the original classroom as we all tentatively waited for the results. Icknield Green came first, and then Icknield Blue came second. Our school received a shield for winning and gift certificates were handed out to Vanessa, Mihir and Shahfaz.
At the Masterclass we learnt about the significance of epicentres and their importance regarding earthquakes and how they can help (think recent Japan earthquake). Oh, and that Mrs. Connington is fiercely and secretly competitive.
All in all it was an interesting afternoon and evening which gave us an insight into the college which we’ll go to for the next two years, and a commemorative shield was also won with the first engraving to be “Icknield 2011”. Hopefully in future years Icknield can hold on to the title and make sure that no other school ever has their name on it.
Fahmeda, Icknield High School pupil