Look up to the stars (From Watford Observer)

Look up to the stars

10:02am Thursday 3rd December 2009 in Rickmansworth News

Words by James Macrae, Year 12

“I am an astro-physicist!” How brilliant does that sound? The new Astronomy course for GCSE students at Rickmansworth School gives students an opportunity to explore a new realm of science.

If you need some more qualification points for Sixth Form and want something unique to put on your CV or are just bonkers about what’s up above our heads, then Astronomy is a great subject for you.

In Astronomy, pupils study a wide range of subjects, including constellations, the stunning births and disruptive deaths of stars.

They will also learn about the infamous black holes with the ability to pull apart whole stars as if they were a child’s toy. Although it is an extra GCSE, with one double period lesson taking place after school every week, Astronomy is nevertheless a full GCSE. In fact, it is the fastest growing subject in the country.

To launch Project Astronomy, the department has already received a large amount of funding (£3,000 to be exact) for various new pieces of equipment, including three new telescopes and new textbooks.

To give the new subject even more of a boost, the department has received £1,500 from the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), allowing the school to host its first Astronomy Evening, which took place on Friday , November 20.

The enthusiastic Head of Astronomy, Mr Thompson, is keen to get the subject off to a good start, stating that, “It is a fantastic, unique subject that anyone can enjoy; we study a wide range of astronomy and astro-physics.” According to Mr Thompson, students taking the course will perform observations during the winter evenings, gazing up at the planets and moons that make up our spectacular Solar System.

None of this would be possible were our school not a Science Specialist College, which entitles the school to more funding towards science events, trips and projects, including the Astronomy GCSE. As Mr Thompson puts it, “Being a Science College allows us to promote science to more pupils, even in local Primary Schools.”