Science News

Sixth Form Science Updates

The Biology Department has enjoyed a busy and challenging Summer Term.

Seven Lower Sixth Biology students took part in the Lincoln College (University of Oxford) Life Sciences Essay Competition. They selected from three possible titles and produced 1,500-word essays, demonstrating strong critical thinking and scientific understanding.

We are incredibly proud of all our entrants. Congratulations to Eoin F, Sadie B, and Kaito K who were awarded Bronze, and to Kevin S, who achieved a Silver award. All four wrote on the challenging topic: “Will AI make doctors redundant?” Kevin’s essay was particularly impressive, incorporating his own original research - an outstanding achievement.

Two of our Upper Sixth Biologists (Luca C and Daniel N) achieved an outstanding Silver award in this year’s British Biology Olympiad, demonstrating exceptional biological knowledge and problem-solving skills. Remarkably, both were less than 0.5% away from achieving a Gold award - a truly impressive accomplishment. We are incredibly proud of their dedication and success.

Our three Remove Lower School Science Scholars, along with three of our Lower Sixth Biology Scholars and active Medical Society members, were extremely fortunate to travel to Framlingham College, the newest school to join the Mill Hill Education Group, to attend a Biology Scholars Conference in early May.

Pupils took part in a variety of hands-on workshops designed both to introduce them to challenging new laboratory skills and to demonstrate their practical applications. Led by both Framlingham teachers and representatives from a range of industries, these sessions provided valuable insight into how scientific knowledge can lead to diverse career pathways.

Lectures delivered by renowned professors from UCL and the UAE further challenged and engaged pupils, exposing them to advanced concepts and cutting-edge research.

Reflecting on the experience, Yasir K, one of our Remove Lower School Scholars, said:

“I found the Science Conference on 13 May particularly engaging. The range of speakers offered valuable insight into different scientific fields, and I appreciated hearing directly from people who are actively involved in research and industry. Their explanations made complex ideas feel accessible and relevant. I also enjoyed the practical demonstrations, which helped to connect what we study in lessons with real-world applications. Overall, the day strengthened my interest in pursuing science further and gave me a clearer sense of the opportunities available within the subject.”

Carlota A, an aspiring Medic, also commented:

“My favourite part of the day was definitely the laboratory carousel. I particularly enjoyed the gel electrophoresis and DNA fingerprinting activity, as it was very hands-on and fascinating to see how

scientists analyse DNA. I also loved the dissection workshop, which was highly engaging and gave us the opportunity to explore biology in a practical and immersive way.”

Summary of Lower School Science activities 2025-26

The Science Scholars have actively participated in a rich programme of extracurricular activities aimed at broadening their academic experience and deepening their interest in STEM subjects. The following students have been attending weekly lunchtime sessions with Mrs Mehta and Ms Cascos to prepare for, and develop, their 10–15 hour projects for the CREST Award competition.

Michael H, Ben C, Katy G and Isabella H were awarded the Silver CREST Award for their project titled “Production of Lipstick to Make It Sustainable with Safe Materials.”

Giovanna S, Ariana R and Dana K were awarded the Bronze CREST Award for their project titled “Investigating the Effect of Plant Competition on the Growth of Cress.”

Harry F and Yasir K were awarded the Bronze CREST Award for their project titled “Planet Box: A Company for Sustainable Pizza Boxes.”

Joshua L was awarded the Silver CREST Award for his project on designing and programming a web application to simulate the Lotka–Volterra predator–prey model.

Felix D has recently submitted his Silver CREST project, which focuses on designing a jacket capable of converting body heat into energy to power small devices.