The Blue Coat School Year 6 Science Fair 2023

Published on isbi School News dated Thursday 23rd of March 2023

Our 2023 Science Fair was launched at the end of the Michaelmas Term. In some ways, the most challenging part of the entire process for the children is to determine the topic, and specifically, the key scientific question, to be investigated.

This year’s projects have surpassed all expectations and addressed a variety of fascinating questions, spanning many diverse fields of science including:

• Solar Power, Wind Power, Fruit Power, Veggie Power, Elastic Power


• Does colour affect: room temperature? Size of pupil? Taste?


• Does what you drink before bed affect your sleep?

The children have been growing crystals and growing bacteria – and finding out if practice really does make perfect? Year 6 has tested battery-life (and value for money) and engineered the perfect boomerang.

They have studied leaf chromatography, hydraulic and pneumatic lifts and constructed light projectors, infinity mirrors, holograms and lava lamps. A more unusual project choice involved studying the quantity of methane gas produced from cow manure!

Some children investigated: reaction time, paper recycling, whether plants can stop soil erosion, the impact of climate change on plant life and the effect of music and other factors on concentration. Also, nowhere else have I seen an investigation to determine the optimum gingerbread recipe for maximum structural strength – and it smelt lovely too!

The children were guided through the stages of the Scientific Method: Question, Research, Hypothesis, Method (including the ‘Fair Test’ principle), Results, Analysis and Conclusion. The final step was to produce the presentation board and then we were ready to hold our Fair!

On Tuesday, we welcomed our judges:

Dr Bendall – King Edward’s School (KES)

Mr Burkhardt – University of Birmingham   

Miss Davies – OSH

Mr Davies – Solihull School       

Mrs Dickinson – The Priory

Mr Hopkinson – King Edward VI High School for Girls (KEHS)

Dr Robotham – The National Science and Mathematics College

Mr Thomas – The Downs Malvern

Each child talked to a judge for approximately ten minutes about their project. The judges scored the projects according to criteria shared with children and parents at the beginning of the projects covering: Creativity, Scientific Thought, Thoroughness, Skill and Clarity. The judges conferred after each session and revisited a number of the projects together. At the end of the day, deliberations took place and finally they reached a decision. They were overwhelmingly complimentary regarding the high standard of the projects and the effective communication of scientific learning and understanding demonstrated by the children.

Pupils throughout school and parents had the opportunity to peruse and celebrate the completed projects. The projects displayed all of the elements we were seeking: endeavour, perseverance, creativity, problem solving and scientific thoroughness. The children have demonstrated their Blue Coat Values and cheerfully tried hard. Without doubt they have built upon their understanding of science and the investigative process. They have experienced the scientific method first hand and dealt with any difficulties as they arose. 

I am incredibly proud of each and every Year 6 child and their commitment to science throughout the year. In my mind, they’re all winners and should be immensely proud of what they have accomplished.

Winner: William Nicolson

Does cheese give you vivid dreams?

Runner Up: Jai Bajwa

The effect of sugar and pH on teeth

Runner Up: Emily De Bono

What is the best thing to grow cress in?