In February John Gittus, who taught history at Hagley for thirty years, suffered a serious stroke.  He is currently in hospital in Edinburgh.  If any former pupil would like to send him a card please email Mr Roberts at the school.

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7 members of the Science and Engineering Club entered the annual  Midlands RegionalToyota Technology challenge a few months ago and both teams were successful in getting through to the Final, despite competition from 63 other teams. One team entered the Solar Power Competition. They had to design and build an environmentally friendly solar powered model vehicle that illustrated the idea of a car from the future. Another team entered the PIC Technology competition. They had to design and build a program-controlled environmentally friendly model vehicle of the future, using a PIC microcontroller to provide in-built intelligence so that it could automatically avoid obstacles. In order to get through to the regional final both teams had to put together a detailed project folder showing research, design ideas, production and evaluation of their designs. The regional final took place on the on the 28^th April at the UK Toyota Centre in Burnaston, Derby. On the day, the teams gained points for their presentation detailing their work on the challenge, an interview from the judges, the finished vehicle and their position in the race. The PIC technology team was awarded 3^rd Prize and both teams were congratulated by the judges for doing so well in the first year the school has entered, especially as they were some of the youngest entrants.

• Matthew Hall and Ashley Dunn take a trip on a battered Severn Valley Railway
• Ellie Brown tells us to be more environmentally aware

National Science and Engineering week kicked off this year with an Impact
Theatre production to the whole of year 9 called Engineer a Career.  The presentation was aimed at inspiring students towards careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. 

Probably the highlight of the week was the Birds of Prey show performed by the Falconry centre in Hagley.  The students had the opportunity to take part in the display and handle the birds.

The organisation Science made Simple also made a visit to the school to put on the show 'Engineering for life-from cradle to grave' which looked at how Science and Engineering is important throughout our lives.  Students watched a live ultrasound scan and discovered how jellyfish could contain the cure for cancer.  

There were also a number of competitions taking place at lunch time. The first was the Mars Mission where students had to create a Mars lander that would get a medium sized egg to land safely when dropped 3m.

We also had a Science quiz where teams of up to 4 people battled it out to win first prize of tickets to the West Midlands Safari Park.

The week finished with the K’Nex challenge where teams of up to 4 people had to create a rotating tower up to 1m tall. The best designs were then awarded prizes including tickets to Dudley Zoo.

There is a whole range of activities organised for next week as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Birds of Prey show in the school hall after school from 3:45 to 5pm. All pupils, parents and staff are welcome. 

Mars Mission at lunch for Key Stage 3 pupils in Lab 3. Click here for more information and an entry form.

Science show: Engineering for life-from cradle to grave for years 7,8 and 9.

Science Quiz in SFSC at lunch for pupils in years 7,8 and 9. Click here for further details and an entry form. First prize is tickets to the West Midlands Safari Park!

K’Nex challenge in the SFSC at lunch for pupils in years 7,8 and 9. Click here for further details and an entry form.

For more information about any of the events, please see Miss Hopkins.

Please take a look at the new eco-schools website for the latest news, pictures and events taking place.

Any students wishing to join the eco action group please see Mr Mohan or Mr Taylor. Everyone is welcome.