National Biology Challenge, Intermediate Biology Olympiad and National Scientific Thinking Challenge

Cheam students excel in the National Biology Challenge, Intermediate Biology Olympiad and National Scientific Thinking challenge.

This term students in the science department have participated in several academic competitions and challenges.

BIOLOGY CHALLENGE

This annual challenge is completed by secondary school students in Years 9 -11 and is run by the Royal Society of Biology. Questions are based on the school curriculum, but the competition also rewards those students whose knowledge of the subject has been increased by reading books and magazines, watching natural history programmes, taking notice of the news media for items of biological interest, and are generally aware of our natural flora and fauna. We entered 200 Year 9 students from Cheam High and the competition was completed by over 42,000 students nationally and students from the top 15% were awarded Commended, Highly Commended, Bronze, Silver or Gold.

Congratulations to all students who attained the above awards, with particular mention to the following students who attained 90% and above in the challenge, placing them in top 5% of the country:

• Lauren E - Gold

• Max A - Gold

• Manuel B - Gold

INTERMEDIATE BIOLOGY OLYMPIAD

Similar to the Biology challenge, the Intermediate Olympiad is open to students in the first year of post-16 education. Over 17,000 students took part in this year's competition and we at Cheam entered our Year 12 Biology cohort.

All students who participated and are aged 14-19 are eligible for one year of BioNet membership of the Royal Society of Biology, a great addition to their reading collection and personal statements. Congratulations to Isabelle, Tahir, Jacob, Aidan, Yahya, Koby, Zak, Lucas and Jack who attained Commended, Highly Commended, Bronze, Silver and Gold. A special mention to Jack who attained the only Gold Award in the cohort and placed in the top 5% nationally.

Students will now prepare for the Biology Olympiad which they will sit next January as part of their enrichment.

THE NATIONAL SCIENTIFIC THINKING CHALLENGE 2025

The NSTC is an annual challenge that we enter our Year 10 students into to assess their ability to look at data, graphs and text and make deductions, spot trends, suggest hypotheses and identify anomalous results, all key skills they need in their GCSEs and A Levels. The challenge also brings the three sciences together, demonstrating the interlinkedness of the science and the vast applications science has in the real world.

This year’s challenge was completed by 15,663 students from 266 schools in 10 countries. As well as the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were all represented), we were joined by schools in Singapore, Canada, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, USA and Qatar.

Cheam High Science Department had a record number of entries with over 120 Year 10 students completing the challenge in their lessons. Our students did brilliantly with over 40 students attaining Bronze or Silver and 3 attaining the top Gold, with over 90% scores. A huge well done to all students with particular mention to Nate H, Seiji N and Tameem A for their Gold awards. We look forward to running the challenge with even more students next year.

STEAM Summer Update

This term in STEAM…

Students in STEAM have been busy this summer term completing several projects as part of their Crest award accreditation
and general enrichment. Projects completed include:

DESIGNING A HYDRAULIC ARM

Ethan and his Year 12 Ambassadors Jacob & Tamadi have been busy designing and building a moveable hydraulic arm from waste cardboard. The project challenges students to design and build a mechanical arm that can lift a specific load. The students will be accredited with a Bronze CREST award from the British Science Association.

INVESTIGATING FORMULATIONS IN BODY BUTTERS AND LIP BALM

Over the past year, a group of Year 7 girls mentored by Tom and Connie in Year 12 have been investigating formulations in different body butters and lip balms. The girls have designed several experiments to determine the perfect formulations including carrying out surveys to certain product preferences in our school community. Their work culminated in them producing body butters which they sold at CheamFest to raise funds for STEAM club.
 
Students who want to earn Bronze Crest Award accreditation will now finish writing their reports to be sent to the British Science Association.

Well done to Hayley, Ianthi, Rama, Serena, Amelia, Emma and Luciano for all their hard work this year and a particular thank you
to their STEAM ambassadors and Year 9 students Chloe, Nicole, Amelia, Evalyn and Zixuan for helping the team prepare for CheamFest and complete their project.

REPURPOSING AND REMOULDING PLASTIC BOTTLE CAPS

Zoe and Sofia in Year 8 have spent the year investigating various methods that can be used to remould plastic bottle caps and what products can be made from them. The girls have gained several skills including investigation design, product analysis and problem solving. Their project culminated in them producing beautiful bookmarks and pendants which they sold at CheamFest to raise funds for future projects.

Zoe will now submit her report for a Bronze Crest Award.

Well done Zoe and Sofia.

F1 IN SCHOOLS 2025/26 SEASON

Following the success of our inaugural Year 12 F1 team last season, we have now opened the F1 provision to lower schools. Our current team is busy making preparations for next season's heats by designing liveries and using Autodesk fusion and CFD to develop their car. A key component of the F1 in schools competition is that the team have to display financial independence by fundraising and gaining sponsors for all their overheads.

The team needs our community support so if you, or any family friends, are able to sponsor the team in any capacity, be it fund their kit, CNCing of their car and 3D printing costs, please email Miss Banda. All sponsors will get logo placement on all our pit display materials and team kit with more dominant placement for core sponsors.

STEAM club is back at the end of September next term and project topics will be shared at the start of the year.