The following items have been extracted from the parents newsletters written
by Mr Thewliss four times a year.

October 2007

Congratulations to S6 pupils Christopher Black, Claire Matanda and Olivia Walesby, who gained CREST gold awards following the completion of research projects during the summer. Twelve selected S4 pupils attended presentations and demonstrations on the theme of Chemistry at Work at St Andrews University earlier in the month.

Last week Dr Linda Storey of Aberdeen University visited the school to give a talk and demonstration to S3 pupils on the topic ‘Fun with Food’. Pupils participated in experiments in which they converted ‘smelly cheese’ into ‘apples’ and ‘apricots’.  A team of S2 to S4 pupils has been entered for the Royal Society of Chemistry ‘Top of the Bench’ quiz.

June 2007

Congratulations to three S6 pupils Christopher Black, Claire Matanda and Olivia Walesby who have been awarded Nuffield Science Bursaries which will enable them to spend 4-5 weeks during the summer holiday engaged in a research project at an academic institution.

Christopher will be working at SCRI with Dr Tracy Valentine investigating the variation of species of grass which is closely related to cereal crops and bio fuels.

Claire will be working with Dr Emese Nagy, University of Dundee School of Psychology investigation the way new-born infants communicate and respond to their social environment right after birth.

Olivia will be based at the University of Dundee in the School of Life Sciences working with Dr Nick Leslie investigating cell signalling and the regulation of PIP3 metabolism. This research has particular relevance to issues such as a cancer and obesity.

A group of pupils who are studying Higher Chemistry attended a forensics taster session at Abertay University on 20^th June where they used several analytical techniques to “solve a murder”.

Thanks to the Scottish Crop Research Institute for passing on their old spectrophotometer which has been used by three pupils this year in the course of their Advanced Higher practical investigations. Equipment such as this enriches the experience for our senior pupils.

June 2006

Nuffield Science Bursary – Congratulations to Malcolm Hutchison S5, who has been selected for a Nuffield Bursary.  This will allow Malcolm to undertake a research project at the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie during the summer holiday.

December 2005

NASA Educational Film – The Case of Physical Fitness

On 24 November Harris Academy received copies of the NASA SCIence Files^TM  ‘The Case of Physical Fitness’ educational video.  The video was produced by award winning NASA Langley Research Center Video Team led by Shannon Ricles, Program Manager.  The 60 Minute educational video shows members of Harris Academy’s S2 class, 2I, describing the results of an investigation into the effects of decalcification in astronaut bones.

The interactive video contains four young American students, ‘The Treehouse Gang’, skilfully interviewing astronauts, scientists and sports experts on the importance of physical fitness and nutrition for astronauts on long space voyages, as well as the importance of everyone keeping fit. The video also contains some amazing video footage of astronauts and how the human body works.

Harris Academy pupils’ Anna Burns and Adam McDicken were in a lead role, describing the results of the investigation to an audience of many millions in the United States.  Also Callum Mackie of class 2I had a star role, when he was filmed at the RRS Discovery Centre; after which the space voyages, take into account the knowledge and experience gained from expeditions such as that of Captain Scott’s voyage of discovery to the Antarctic in 1901-1904.

Recently pupils have downloaded their names onto a NASA CD which will be placed on the New Horizon Voyager spacecraft which will be launched in January 2006 on a journey to the planet Pluto and its three moons, the largest being called Charon.  The spacecraft will then travel to the Kuiper belt at the outermost limit of our solar system.

June 2005

NASA Visit

Representatives from NASA came to Harris on Thursday 16 June to film a group of S2 pupils carrying out an experiment on the composition of bone. This film will be used as a comparison with bone composition in space. The NASA crew were lead by former pupil John Beaten who accompanied them for their entire visit.

The 2i class taken by Mr Shand were highly praised by the NASA crew. They were polite, patient and enthusiastic. The final video should be sent back to Scotland in October. The NASA crew were Blair Allen — producer, Ron Beard — cameraman, Lisa Neasbitt — scientist/educator, Shannon Rider— educator (-12).