Chemistry
At The Mount School, Chemistry is taught by two subject specialists from Year 8 to A2 with Year 7 taught as integrated science to make the transition from Junior School as straightforward as possible. We make our subject interesting employing a wide variety of teaching techniques.
The work in Year 8 includes a very popular extended homework project to make a model or poster depicting a chemical element. Some of the previous years best efforts are displayed in the lab, and are very inventive. We also collaborate with the DT department’s work on packaging integrating our own project to produce scented bath bombes for the girls to package.
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Year 9 consolidates the work of Yr 8 and prepares the girls for GCSE. Our new scheme of work for this year includes a unit looking at the food industry and how chemistry is used in baking, brewing and the manufacture of Cadbury’s Crème Eggs, including some very sticky experiments!
GCSE Chemistry is vibrant and involves lots of hands-on practical work. Previous big experiments (ISAs) have included an investigation into the best composition of concrete, which was then tested to destruction. Most lessons will have a practical component and we encourage the girls to develop their skills and manual dexterity whilst they learn the fundamental principles by experimentation.
We have visited the Dynamic Earth exhibition in Edinburgh on a joint trip with Biology and Physics to gain a deeper understanding of the Changing World topic on our Year 10 specification.
A level Chemistry is hard work, but the girls are rewarded with a great sense of achievement and some super activities. High on the list is the annual trip to Tata Steel in Scunthorpe where the girls see industrial chemistry on a massive scale. The noise, heat and smells never fail to make a tremendous impression, along with the real attention to detail that is necessary to keep the environment safe.
We encourage the girls to read widely around the subject and chemistry magazines are always available; we also encourage attendance at local chemistry lectures. Traditionally the final lesson of the year is a big demonstration session when we show all the best whizzes and bangs in our repertoire and use them to link together all the chemistry that we have covered over the two-year course.