Page 156 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

Exploring Science and Creativity at Dunclug College
At Dunclug College, Science isn’t just a subject—it’s an adventure! From bubbling beakers to outdoor
ecology, our students have embraced hands-on learning, critical thinking, and creativity across every
year group. Let’s take a look at the exciting scientific journey our pupils have taken this year!

Year 8—Our Year 8 students kicked off their science journey with a splash of colour and curiosity! As
part of their Acids and Alkalis topic, they created their very own red cabbage indicator, learning how
natural substances can reveal the pH of everyday solutions.

Meanwhile, 8P8 enjoyed their first-ever practical—boiling water to discover its boiling point. The
excitement was palpable as they watched the thermometer rise and learned about phase changes in
real time. And who says science can’t be festive? 8P7 brought chemistry and Christmas together by
crafting a “Chemistree”—a creative and colourful way to celebrate the season while revising key
concepts.

Year 9— The 9P1 class dove into the fascinating world of chromatography, a technique used to
separate mixtures. After mastering the method, they let their creativity shine by crafting vibrant
chromatography flowers—a perfect blend of science and art that showcased both their
understanding and imagination!

Year 10— 10P2 had an unforgettable day at the Braid Centre in Ballymena, where they explored the
forces behind bridge-building. They tested tensile and compressive strength—and even let Mrs
Harding walk across their bridge to prove its strength! The day also included a deep dive into
healthcare, where students learned resuscitation techniques, how to unblock airways, and the
importance of proper handwashing. They even met Professor Cox, who shared insights into the
origins of the universe. To top it all off, Simon Gregg won a spot prize—Apple AirPods!

Meanwhile, 10P3 took advantage of the sunshine to explore ecology. Using quadrats, they sampled
species on the school lawn—just before the mowers arrived! Their keen eyes even spotted a ladybird,
making the lesson both educational and delightful.

Year 12— Our Double Award Science students in Year 12 got hands-on with biology and chemistry.
Mrs Sloan dissected a cow’s heart, identifying the four chambers and valves that keep blood flowing
in the right direction—an unforgettable way to understand the circulatory system. In chemistry, they
used molymod kits to build models of alkanes, alkenes, and alcohols, bringing the structure of organic
molecules to life in 3D.

Year 13 & 14— Our senior students took their learning to the next level with practical applications in
Life and Health Science. In Year 14, Nurse Coulter demonstrated how to take blood pressure
readings, giving students the chance to practice on each other and understand the importance of
accuracy in healthcare. Meanwhile, both Year 13 and 14 students tackled a challenging but rewarding
practical: the preparation of aspirin. They learned how to reflux using a water bath, purify via
recrystallisation, perform suction filtration with a Buchner funnel, and determine the melting point of
their final product—true scientists in the making!

From the youngest Year 8s to our experienced Year 14s, Dunclug College has seen a year full of
experiments, exploration, and excitement. Our students have not only learned scientific principles
but also developed critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity. Here’s to another year of discovery,
innovation, and scientific wonder at Dunclug College!