BeauBiBlo

Thursday

2009-11-05T11:18:00.000-08:00

Making a start on the PSA coursework at 9:15 in the morning was challenging but highly worthwhile, as it allowed us to put to use all we had learnt throughout the week and apply it to our final A2 grade. After the excitement of early morning A level assessment, we could celebrate further with a little trip to Britain's best beach (2004), Barrafundle. Barrafundle was a barral of fun-(dle). We indulged in the construction of sand cars and exploring the environment of caves, rock pools and hidden cliff areas. We discovered bats, anemone, shrimps and many more dudes. It was a land of geographical and biological wonder with some history thrown in there to spice it up. It was lots of funfun freedom and was an excellent way to celebrate the end of a test. Hurrah for bio! We will miss Steve (Tim); he's a fab guy. We have especially enjoyed the discovery of the Australian Pelvitia canaliculata.

chuuunnneeee:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZT4owFcD4M

Wednesday afternoon - Amourous

2009-11-04T12:30:00.001-08:00

Wed afternoon – by Katie (with scientific editing in brackets by Miss Millins)

This afternoon we visited a stream around the Orielton estate; we carried out an experiment at two sites on the stream to see the differing bugs (invertebrates) we could find. It was fun! J
We were searching for and observing freshwater invertebrates. Upon reflection, we’re unsure which were unluckier…the sheer number of disgusting (fascinating) creep-crawlies (including leeches!), that we found on the first site; or the shamefully small number of organisms that we found at the second site. Some lucky groups did find fish (but not us…oh dear!).

(Mr Lavin’s favourite finds were amourous Gammarus!)

Wednesday - Woodland Fun!

2009-11-04T06:11:00.001-08:00

Wednesday Morning – by Dom

Today we awoke promptly at 7:30am as the sun gently illuminated our content faces, prying our eyes open with rays of Welsh cheer. After morning pleasantries, we descended the grand stairs for breakfast; a healthy yet hearty affair.
Our education began at 9 an consisted first of a woodland masterclass…you know, I now feel like I could live as a lumberjack…my confidence was increased by our guided tour of the woodland surroundings of Orielton.
After our stroll and an investigation into Ivy, we broke for lunch, sestet to reconvene at a later time.
Kathryn, Jordain and Katie will keep you all posted for the twists and turns of this afternoon…

Tuesday 3/11/09

2009-11-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

Tuesday's Photos - A sunny (but very windy) sand dune succession study!

Tuesday – by (mainly) Jack and Kalyan (but not really by Kalyan) - Today was to be based primarily around succession. Having been assured by Tim that one of the most prominent examples of this was a sand dune, we set off for Freshwater West. We were greeted by seemingly gale-force winds, but fortunately also a fair bit of sun. Using a point quadrat, we accurately compared the vegetation of the embryo-, fore-, semi-fixed- and fixed dunes. AS the day went on, the weather stayed fair and spirits were high as we came to our final activity; measuring how the height of salad burnett (which smells of cucumber when you crush the leaves) differed on trampled (on the path) and untrampled ground. The mini-experiment was, we were told, something done by the National Trust to provide evidence against human trespassing on the dunes…we found it to be both interesting and enjoyable. When back at the manor (and rejuvenated by banana cake), we carried out a student t-test on our results (involving calculating the standard deviation of our results) to see if our results were statistically significant. Dinner was a mouth-watering sausage casserole with chips followed by strawberry cheesecake and we slept soundly after a day of fresh air and bracing sea-winds!

2009-11-03T02:11:00.000-08:00

Sunday – by Mark, Lillie and Patrick

When we arrived at Orielton, we got a grand tour of the manor and its estate. Although the weather was not to be desired, the staff were welcoming and the food bountiful!
After a hearty meal, we were given an introduction to the events to come, which excited us all!
We all snuggled up to watch X-factor and with a mug of hot cocoa we settled down for the night in our dorms.

Monday – by Daniel

After an early start, we began the day with an introduction to the sort of biological terms we would be using; how to identify key organisms on the rock shore and sampling methods.
Once at Sawdern Point, we began to get to grips with the terrain and the slippery seaweed under foot, and quickly got to work identifying the organisms (both flora and fauna) at different point on the rocky shore.
Upon our return to the centre, and after well-deserved break (with carrot cake!), we took the results we’d gathered and turned them into graphs and tables (doing a Chi-squared statistical test to evaluate the zonations of Topshells on the rocky shore as well as Kite Histograms to graphically display the distribution and abundance of different species on the rocky shore.

Organisms sampled today:
Cnidaria - Anemones

Echinoderm - Starfish

Arthropods - Crabs
Algae - Seaweeds
A variety of molluscs including:
□ Limpets
□ Mussels
□ Periwinkles
□ Topshells
□ Whelks

Wet and Wild in Orielton!

2009-11-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

A flooded corner of Wales has been invaded this week by 27 budding ecologists from Beaumont School.
The A Level and IB students, accompanied by Mr Lavin (Head of Key Stage 3 Science), Miss Millins (Lead Teacher in Science) and Miss Dolling (Chemistry Technician) are currently spending the week at the Orielton Field Studies Council Centre, studying different ecological techniques and completing the assessed aspects of both courses.
Each day, the students will report on their progress; the highs and the lows (and, of course, how cold and wet we're getting).
Watch this space...

Check out the Field Studies Centre we're staying in (they make the BEST cakes!)
http://www.field-studies-council.org/orielton/

Swine Flu Pandemic

2009-05-06T08:20:00.000-07:00

An understanding of pandemics and how they are managed is part of the new AS syllabus. The Sky News website has lots of useful information about the current swine flu pandemic. Click here to go to the website. If you scroll down through the information you can find out more about the virus, how it is transmitted, the definition of a pandemic, advice on what to do if you suspect you may have Swine Flu. They are using antiviral drugs to treat this flu. Click here to find out how these are different to antibiotics.

Genetic engineering (Edexcel A2)

2008-11-11T08:14:00.000-08:00

To be able to answer questions on genetic engineering really well you need to be clear about the steps in the process. This link will take you to a revision site which covers these really well. Click here to visit the site.

On the same site is some useful additional information on genetically engineered chymosin beyond that which we discussed in class. It includes a clear diagram showing how the chymosin that the cheese industry now uses was developed. Click here to go to the link.

Worlds First pregnant man?

2008-06-18T01:11:00.000-07:00

Read this news story and understand the science behind this recently reported news story. click here

Tissue regeneration

2008-05-06T07:13:00.001-07:00

Read a story about a man who's regrown his finger tip with the help of some pig extract. A feat all 2 year olds are capable of but not adult humans!!! story

Human cloning gets a step closer

2008-04-14T11:33:00.000-07:00

A new technique has been developed in whole animal cloning that could pave the way for human cloning. read more

Fossil record found in Snake evolution

2008-04-14T02:16:00.000-07:00

Very Relevent to year 10 evolution module. Read here how a limestone fossil of a bipedal reptile (2 legged snake) helps with a bit more of the story of how the limbless reptiles first evolved.

Fighting back against antibiotic resistant Bacteria

2008-03-12T04:57:00.000-07:00

Scientists think they have discovered a mutation that allows bacteria to become resistant to some antibiotics. This could lead to them being able to restore antibiotics like penecillins full effectiveness read here

Latest news on Flu transmission

2008-03-06T12:29:00.000-08:00

Have a read about some current research on why Flu viruses prefer the colder weather here

Mitosis tutorial

2008-02-28T06:59:00.000-08:00

Metaphase

A web based tutorial to assist with our most recent topic at AS click here. It goes a bit beyond AS but has some good animations.

Screening in america is reducing cases of Cystic Fibrosis.

2008-02-28T06:17:00.001-08:00

A programme to screen prospective parents for carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene has brought about a reduction in the number of children bourne with the genetic disease. Is it ethical, should it be done after conception when the decision may be to abort the preganancy? Read on then vote in the poll

Scientists produce a drought resistant plant!

2008-02-28T05:37:00.000-08:00

Scientists have isolated a gene that regulates water loss. It could enable them to produce a plant that can survive periods of drought. Is this a solution to preventing famines? read more

A Book of Life

2008-02-26T13:20:00.000-08:00

Scientists are about to publish a 'book of life' which will eventually contain all 1.8 million species in all kingdoms and includes viruses. Humans are only one page!!!! click here

He's in!!

A giant dinosaur eating frog!

2008-02-19T04:43:00.001-08:00

A recent discovery that helps map out the separating of madagascar and south america about 80 million years ago just happens to be a giant frog that may well have eaten young dinosaurs as its prey. Read more

News on HIV transmission

2008-02-07T07:22:00.000-08:00

HIV is a blood bourne virus so passed through breaks in the skin. Here is a recent method of transmission identified by current research.

Lesson Materials

2008-02-07T07:17:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon Lesson materials for revision assistance, just as soon as Mr Lavin can figure out how to do it!!

A child with three parents!!

2008-02-07T03:45:00.001-08:00

A new breakthrough in combatting genetic disease caused by faulty mitochondrial DNA.

The technique involves 3 parents, 2 mothers and 1 father!! click here

MMR 'does not trigger reaction'

2008-02-05T04:32:00.000-08:00

The MMR debate rages on, would you vaccinate your child. Read this recent article and make up your own mind!

MMR Story

Climate set for 'sudden shifts'

2008-02-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

Is this the future for our planet, can we stop the change in our climate?

Lets hope so click here for the full story

Intensive farming

2008-01-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

Where does you chicken come from, how did it live before it became dinner. Some chap called Hugh looks set to try and inform a nation check it out here. You'll never look at KFC the same way again!!