The Edinburgh Academy

The Maxwell Centre

At a cost of £4.3 million, The Edinburgh Academy has constructed a new science centre, the James Clerk Maxwell Centre. To ensure that the future pupils of the school have the best possible chance to emulate and even perhaps aspire to surpass the achievements of past pupils such as Maxwell, we have created a state of the art facility for science education.

Modern science relies heavily on new technology, and science teaching must move with the times. This is not the sort of education where all you need is a classroom and a teacher. The new science centre is bristling with technology to bring science teaching into the 21st century. The new laboratories have been purpose designed, and are therefore ideally suited to the practical activities of a modern scientific education.

The Maxwell Centre brings all three sciences: biology, chemistry and physics, together under one roof. It consists of 9 laboratories, with associated preparation areas. There is a 172 seat lecture theatre.

Laboratories

As part of the James Clerk Maxwell Science Centre, we have three brand new 3 fully equipped teaching laboratories, each with a class set of microscopes and a full set of ancillary equipment. Every lab is equipped with up to the minute ICT equipment. We have video cameras linked up to microscopes and interactive white boards Teachers can use a class set of lap tops with data loggers to conduct cutting edge lab work.

The new Biology labs have been designed so that there is the maximum flexibility of space, with all tables (including the teacher's table) fully movable, allowing us to carry out a variety of practical work that would have been very difficult before.

There is a fully equipped prep room and workshop containing all the equipment necessary to sustain a full GCSE, Higher and A level programme of practical activities. Our dedicated lab technician prepares materials for use in lessons.

There is an animal room for keeping small animals, locusts etc, which are used to enhance pupils’ understanding of how animals can be cared for and nurtured.

Aquarium

There is an enormous aquarium. We have used the opportunity of such a facility to ensure that a wealth of learning opportunities can be derived from it. Not only is it massive (1.5 metric tonnes of water) but it has species of fish and invertebrates designed to form a community of animals that show a wide variety of adaptations. The aquarium incorporates both chemical and biological systems to maintain it.

The department also has on display a terrarium and in every lab there are tanks containing a snake, fish and various other organisms.

Garden

A large greenhouse provides plant material for the labs.

We are currently constructing a new Biology garden, intended for use as an outdoor classroom, which will have raised beds containing a wide selection of native and non-native plants, as well as wild areas, a large pond and a composting and recycling centre.

The school grounds contain a wealth of habitats for studying Ecology and other areas and are used extensively by the pupils.

Field Work and Visits

We have a Field Centre in the Angus Glens which we use for weekend Field trips in various years.

We also conduct field work at the local sea-shore at Yellowcraigs, the Water of Leith and the school grounds.

Pupils visit Institutions like the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, The Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Zoo, the National Museum of Scotland for Lectures and workshops.

We have links with establishments such as the local Universities and research establishments.