Presenting the bones

The sorted bones are then glued onto a poster

Presentation skills are key

All this in a double lesson. Some very efficient worker here today

Dem bones

Year 8 are now identifying the bones they separated from the owl pellets.

The bones have been soaking in bleach solution for the last 36 hours so they are nice and clean and disease free!

Year 7 extract DNA from an onion

We have been discussing DNA in our recent lessons with Year 7. On Wednesday we were able to extract the DNA from an onion.

First we crushed the onion in a salt solution. 

Then we filtered the mixture.

After adding some washing up liquid we then patiently waited for the DNA to appear between the two layers. 

Year 6 get to grips with the microscope

This morning Year 6 had their second session with the microscopes. 

While getting use to operating this important piece of equipment they have been learning to focus on colour photos and drawing what they see

Next they will find the field of view of each magnification then time to look at cells.

Kevin the Barn Owl takes to the air in the theatre

Some footage of Kevin aloft on Monday in the Theatre with Year 8

Owls on Stage

Monday 12th Jan  -  Bristish Wildlife Centre Owls take center stage in the Brambletye Theatre.

 Year 8 pupils were in for a real treat and Issy and Tom from the BWC shared information about the owls.

 Florence the Tawny Owl

 Scrappy the Little Owl

 Ethel the European Eagle Owl

 Kevin the Barn Owl takes to the air - silently

(Movie of the flights to follow- watch this space)

 Flo gets up close and personnel with Brambletye pupils

Flo coughs up a pellet 

 Much to the delight of Issy and the disgust of this Brambletye pupil

Many thanks to Issy and Tom from the BWC
and to Louise Siggers for these wonderful photos



Owl Ecology

Year 8 pupils have been learning all about owls. This is a good way to bring together the last three year's Biology to help get ready for CE. Having looked at the classification they are now dissecting owl pellets (regurgitated fur and bones) to see what they eat. 

The pellets need wetting to help them separate

Skulls can be picked out easily, this is a vole skull

Some are full of fur so difficult to identify

Rinsing in water helps to get rid of some of the fur

Some need a little work with tweezers and a seeker to get the fur out

Leg bones are easier to separate and there should be four for each skull!

Another interesting find

Close examination is necessary

The running tap technique has it's disadvantages - this bone ended up down the plug hole.

Later today we meet the owls themselves from the British Wildlfie Centre.