Research - C forms (Year 6)

Year 6 used the internet and the library to investigate an author of their own choosing and created an Author Profile. Here is an example:

Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett is one of the most popular authors writing today and is the acclaimed creator of the bestselling Discworld series. The first Discworld novel, The Colour of Magic, was published in 1983 and there are now 37 books in the series. The first Discworld novel for children, The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents, was published in 2001 and was awarded the 2001 Carnegie Medal.

 

In December 2007, Terry released a statement that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Since then, he has become Patron of The Alzheimer’s Research Trust and has done a great deal of work to raise the profile of the important fundraising required as well as making a sizeable donation himself.

 

Terry Pratchett was born on 28th April 1948.

 

Pratchett is a trustee for the Orangutang Foundation UK but is pessimistic about the animal's future. Following Pratchett's lead, fan events such as the Discworld Conventions have adopted the Orangutan Foundation as their nominated charity. One of Pratchett's most popular fictional characters, the Librarian of the Unseen University's Library, is an orangutan!

 

Jessica

Research - B forms (Year 7)

Scientist Project

In an English and Science collaboration, members of Beta use the Library to research a scientist they think is worthy of appearing on an international bank note. They have to write persuasive letters arguing their case. Mr Skottowe, Head of Science, is the judge.

• Highly Commended - George for his work on Samuel Colt, inventor of the Colt revolver
• Nico for William Shikard - inventor of the world's first mechanical calculator
• Kareem for Reginald Fessenden - inventor of audio radio

The winner is:

• Maddie for Marie Curie and here is her entry:

Dear Sir,

 

I am writing to ask for Marie Curie, the brilliant scientist and inventor, to be featured on the back of a bank note. She is a fabulous role model to many people, especially girls, for all the life-changing discoveries she has made.

 

Marie was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize – what an achievement – but it gets better! She was the first person ever to win TWO Nobel prizes!

 

Marie’s first Nobel Prize was awarded to her for the discovery of radium and polonium, which later led on to her next Nobel Prize which changed the course of science. Discovering radioactivity meant that people could be treated if they had cancer. Marie set up a laboratory in Paris. Half of it was used for treating cancer; the other half was used for research. Around 283,000 people get diagnosed with cancer, and many have survived it because of Marie Curie. She has helped those with cancer, and alleviated the suffering of their friends and families.

 

Her discovery of radioactivity also made mobile X-ray machines possible, so she could work at the front line in World War 1 identifying bullets and other missiles in unfortunate soldiers. She trained one hundred and fifty female attendants for the soldiers and X-ray vans.

 

Over 4,266,00 people were wounded in the First World War. Many survived because of Marie Curie. How many people do you know who have a grandfather or great-grandfather who fought in the war?

 

Marie Curie and her discoveries have helped us build submarines, atomic clocks, nuclear power stations and provide medical treatments. Sadly her science work also led to the invention of the nuclear bomb.

 

I feel she deserves her place on a bank note.

 

Yours faithfully, Maddie

 

For more information on the amazing Marie Curie, please look-up the website:

 

www.myhero.com

 

Or go to the Library, look in the 920 Biography section and read Anita Ganeri’s book: What would You ask Marie Curie? Belitha, published 2000.

Research - A forms (Year 8)

An example of an A form project:

The History of the Mini by an A former

The first Mini was made in 1959. Bubble cars were everywhere so the British Motor Corporation invented a small car. Another reason was that petrol had been rationed because of the Suez crisis of 1956, and people wanted cars that used up less fuel. Car designer Alec Issigonis was asked to produce a small 4-seater car that used an existing engine and would drive the bubble car off the road.

 

To provide space for four, Issigonis devoted 80 per cent of the car's 10 foot length to passengers and luggage, which left him with little more than 18in for the engine and gearbox. He turned the engine sideways, and mounting the gearbox underneath it.

 

Just two years and one month after the prototype and given the go-ahead, Minis were coming off the production lines. It was launched in two versions - the Morris Mini Minor and the Austin Seven - in August 1959, to great reviews from the motoring press. But, though the Mini was cheap, people were put off by its complexity. It was only when personalities such as film star Peter Sellers, the Beatles and the Queen started driving Minis that it began to take off. Its popularity with racing drivers helped too.

 

A few years later, the Cooper version was made, and the Mini became a racing car. It was not long before a Mini Cooper was the car to have. The Mini won the Monte Carlo rally three times.

Symbol of the '60s

Its success was such that it was manufactured in countries all around the world, including Italy, Spain, South Africa, Australia and Chile. It introduced a word to the language, and it became a symbol of modern '60s Britain. It also shared its name with a skirt. Despite the success, BMC developed it slowly. It didn't get wind-up windows until nine years after it was launched. Instead, BMC and British Leyland did not develop the car properly.

 

In 1971 the Cooper was dropped.

 

But the Mini kept selling, especially when the fuel crisis struck in 1973.

The Mini has been bought by over five and a half million people. It is the most brilliant car Britain has ever produced, and a car whose design has influenced that of every small car you see on the road today.

10 reasons why you should buy a mini:

• Everywhere you go, envious eyes will follow you. And that includes the pigeons.
• It’s got such a slick go-kart handling that it eats tight corners for breakfast.
• It has bucket-loads of power so don’t fight it, give in gracefully.
• It’s a car that even the wind finds difficult to resist.
• It sticks to the road like a fly on the windscreen.
• It never loses its head: roof up or down, the mini convertible stays cool.
• You can see a mini from a mile off. By day, its striking design stands out like a beacon. By night, its halogen lights shine so bright, it puts lighthouses to shame.
• It has a full, powerful sound that sorts the woofers from the tweeters.
• It has four airbags, a roll-over bar and brilliant safety features.
• It always has an ear-to-ear grin that will make you feel constantly happy!

Facts, figures and fun!

From just £10,780.00 on the road or £13,325.00 for a convertible, you can have all the fun and fashion you want!