The Science Blog

Enzyme Revision

2009-10-22T14:51:00.000-07:00

AS biology students - You should visit this website to review the enzyme topic that you have studied in class. Some of the material will extend your knowledge beyond your classwork and textbook helping you to achieve an A*! At the end of the activity you can assess your own progress through a quiz.

Food Chain Game

2009-10-22T13:23:00.000-07:00

Are you studying food chains in biology?

Click here to play the food chain game and have fun learning!

Enjoy

Competition - The Institute of Chemistry of Ireland

2009-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

Are you interested in journalism and chemistry?

Then enter this competition where you can work in a team of 2 to 4, and have to submit a 4 x A4-page Newsletter titled “Chemistry in Ireland” suitable for the non-scientist, outlining clearly and accurately any aspects of chemistry in Ireland in an engaging, informative and easily readable manner. You are strongly encouraged to use good quality graphics/photographs to illustrate your newsletter.

This competition is open to all post primary students and the closing date is Friday 18th December 2009.

For more information see Mr McDonnell and click here.

NASA 'bombs' the moon!

2009-10-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, NASA's LCROSS (Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite) successfully crashed into a crater near the moon's south pole in the hope of finding water.

Two £50million unmanned spaceships were fired. The first spacecraft - called Centaur, which had the mass of a transit van - was crashed into the surface at 5,600mph, twice the speed of a bullet. It hit the exact target - a dark cold crater thought to harbour water. A second ship with science instruments followed it down to analyse the debris.

Now scientists will study the data over the next few weeks to determine if water or ice does exist on the moon.

Year 10 students who are studying space should click here to visit the NASA website to view pictures and read more about this topic.

Why is finding water on Moon important?

2009-10-10T11:43:00.000-07:00

Finding whether there is water on the Moon is crucial if we're going to take space exploration seriously. It currently costs too much to take water with us so discovering water would have strategic importance. A base on the Moon might be a fantastic place for further observation and research.

And better understanding of the Moon and its water content will help us in other ways. If the Moon has got water what does that tell us about where the Earth got its water from? Is the water on the moon the same type we have here? Assessing how much water-ice is buried in the surface of the Moon will also be important in establishing how much we can rely on being there.
By looking at the places that are so different from the Earth, and understanding why they're different, you can learn about our own planet.

All of this research builds up a better understanding of our solar system and how it formed and also why our Earth is just so special to us.

We're only just beginning to revise our opinion about how well planetary bodies can hold on to ice or water.

The first step of the battle is to establish if water is there. Then you worry about how to extract it.

By Caroline Crawford Astronomer, Cambridge University

The Big Picture - Flu

2009-10-08T13:24:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu download

Download a special issue of Big Picture from the link above to find out what is known about swine flu and how it compares with past pandemics, seasonal flu and avian flu. Swine flu was first detected in Mexico in February 2009. It has since spread rapidly to become the first influenza pandemic of the 21st century. This issue also looks at the drugs and vaccines that can fight it and what international and national bodies are doing about it.

This is a must read for A level biology students and anyone who wants to understand the science behind the swine flu! You can obtain your own free copy of this magazine and/or past issues from the link below:

Order your own copy!

Stars in Hiding!

2009-06-25T11:06:00.001-07:00

Due to the cloudy skies last night, the star gazing adventure had to be postponed until next term. Watch out for the date and time in the science blog and monthly newsletter.

Star Gazers in Action

2009-06-23T13:40:00.000-07:00

Our Astronomy group will head out up to Spelga tomorrow night to try out their new telescopes and view the skies, weather permitting! Any parents or students interested in coming too should contact head of physics, Alisdair Spence, at the college.

Fields of Scientific Study

2009-06-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Find out which areas of science are for you with our Very Unscientific Personality Quiz by clicking the link below!
suits you!

Careers in Science

2009-06-21T11:59:00.000-07:00

Search the Planet Science database of to find out about the wide range of interesting science careers. You can read about real scientists who spill the beans on their work, their lifestyle and their social life! Want to find out more? Click on the link - Meet your match

Reasons to study A level science

2009-06-16T15:29:00.001-07:00

Are you thinking of studying science at A level?
Making subject choices can be a complex and daunting task. Choosing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects will more than likely widen career options later in life rather than narrow them. People with STEM qualifications are very employable e.g. mathematics skills are very appealing to a variety of employers; and there is a perceived degree of difficulty attached to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects that differentiate students with these qualifications.
Similarly good grades in STEM subjects are highly valued by university admissions tutors and further education establishments. Generally science graduates earn more money than other graduates and in the future there will an increase demand for science, engineering and technology-related occupations.

Still not convinced that you should study A level science? Read the website below, then let Ellen McVea know as soon as possible!
Future Morph

2009-06-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Year 11 students,

Don’t forget that your GCSE modular science exam is on Monday 22nd June! You all have been working very hard in class and now you need to ensure that you do extra revision at home to achieve your best possible grades.

If you click on the link below you will find past paper tests with the answer sheets and mark schemes for all the science modules. Try to complete all the tests at home for the two modules that you are taking. Good luck with the revision and if you need any more help ask your science teacher.

Revision Material for Year 11

ShimnaScienceSetsUp

2009-06-10T15:28:00.000-07:00

Check in here to keep up with ShimnaScience doings.