QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 4
WHAT9S YOUR QUESTION?
Curiosity Unleashed!
British Science Week 2026 brought a real buzz to
QPHS as students embraced this year9s theme:
Curiosity. Throughout the week, classrooms were
filled with big questions, lively discussions, and
plenty of 8lightbulb9 moments. From wondering why
the sky is blue, to debating how cats always seem
to land on their feet, and even the mystery of why
toast falls butter-side down. These simple but
engaging questions helped launch a week filled with
exploration and scientific thinking.
Year 7 kicked things off by diving into the
fascinating world of museums and conservation.
They learned why museums are vital for protecting
history and how conservators preserve fragile
artefacts. After examining the condition of various
objects, students designed their own display cases
complete with UV protection, controlled temperature
and humidity, and even pest-prevention strategies.
They then presented their ideas, explaining how
each element helped prevent deterioration.
Year 8 spent their week looking ahead to the future
of medicine through the lens of metagenomics.
Working with simulated patient samples, they used
DNA sequences and the NCBI (National Centre for
Biotechnology Information) database to identify
diseases such as malaria, cholera and Zika virus.
They then selected appropriate treatment plans
based on their findings. Through this activity,
students discovered how genetic sequencing can
rapidly detect infections and support
personalised healthcare.
Year 9 explored mutations and how
genetic changes can benefit species.
Using real examples and their own
creativity, they engineered adapted
organisms capable of surviving in
new environments. Their final
concepts were thoughtful, inventive
and backed up with strong scientific
reasoning as they presented their
creations to the class.
Across all year groups, one thing
connected every activity: the power
of asking questions. Whether
students were analysing artefacts,
decoding DNA or imagining entirely
new life forms, they discovered that
curiosity is at the heart of every
scientific breakthrough.
British Science Week not only
encouraged students to think like
scientists, it gave them space to
explore, imagine and investigate the
world around them, and judging by
the enthusiasm in classrooms, their
curiosity is only growing…
