22 June 2026
After school on Friday 19 June, the Collaboration Zone in the Sixth Form Centre was abuzz with conversations on an eclectic mix of topics, including how World War II affected investment in shares and bonds in the UK; how tracking leatherback turtles saves them from extinction; and what happens in your brain when you sleep. These were among the questions Year 7 students on our Kritikos programme chose to research for their Curiosity Project, and Friday’s event was their chance to discuss their findings with parents, staff, one another, and the Year 10 academic buddies who supported them during their independent research.
After much conversation, tea and cake, everyone moved to the Sixth Form lecture theatre, where Mrs Payne, Head of Academic Stretch, looked back at the many and varied activities undertaken by Kritikos students this academic year, and Lila gave an excellent presentation about how short form videos affect the brain, before expertly dealing with questions from the audience.
Head Mrs Baillie told the girls how much she had enjoyed hearing them talk about their research with such expertise and passion, and thanked staff for their work with the girls this year, as well as the Year 10 buddies, whose collaboration with the younger students she described as ‘very special’.
It was a fascinating session thanks to the students’ hard work and curiosity.
The full list of Curiosity Projects:
| Pola | How do people find out how many ways you can arrange a Rubik’s Cube? |
| Lila | How short-form videos affect the brain |
| Arianna | What happens in your brain when you sleep? |
| Harriet | How did WW2 affect investment in shares and bonds in the UK? |
| Trinity | Social media’s effect on mental health |
| Lara | How have horses been used to fit human needs? |
| Georgia | How does tracking leatherback turtles save them from going extinct? |
| Safah | The brain of a true crime fan |