It is said that human activities are responsible for almost all the increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere over the last 150 years. One of the largest sources of greenhouse gas is from burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation.

As part of the Science unit, ‘Fuels and Climate Change,’ Year 8 students at the College have been discussing the contribution that fossil fuels have made through carbon emissions, to climate change and how this affects us and our environment. They have also been looking at the greenhouse effect and the natural process that happens to warm up the Earth's surface.

In their study, the students discovered that when fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which in turn trap heat in our atmosphere, making them the primary contributors to global warming and climate change.

In one science class, the students experimented with different forms of energy, other than fossil fuels. Fuelled by creativity, the students further developed their understanding about the existence of new forms of clean energy, and used lemons to power digital timepieces and salt, water and magnesium to power a toy car! 

Once the girls were confident in their investigations, they were tasked with putting their findings and results to paper as part of their assessment.

The girls had so much fun with what they were learning that they will continue to explore renewable and non-renewable energy next term, before moving into revision and assessment.

Well done girls!

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