STEAM News
Foundation
Run, Run, as Fast as You Can!
Our Foundation students dived into the world of fairy tales this week, but with a STEAM twist! After listening to the classic tale of The Gingerbread Man, the children were challenged to change the ending. Instead of trusting the sneaky fox to cross the river, they had to build their own transport.
Using icy pole sticks, Lego, or foil, our mini-engineers designed and tested boats and rafts to see which structures would keep the Gingerbread Man dry and safe from his pursuers. There was plenty of splashing, problem-solving, and "sink or float" testing along the way.
Ask your child...
Which material worked best for their raft?
Year 1/2
A Bear-Sized Challenge!
This week, our Year 1/2 students put their engineering hats on after reading Ross Collins’ hilarious story, There’s a Bear on My Chair. The challenge? To build a chair sturdy enough to support a bear, using only a very limited set of supplies!
Working with just 10 sheets of recycled paper, 2 pieces of card, and masking tape, students had to think creatively about structure and strength. We saw some incredible techniques, from rolling tight paper pillars to cutting flange based supporting legs. It was a fantastic exercise in persistence and problem-solving as they tested which designs could hold the weight without collapsing.
Ask your child...
What was the hardest part about making a chair out of just paper?
Year 3/4
Cleaning Up Our Oceans!
Over the past few weeks, our Year 3/4 students have been diving deep into environmental science, learning all about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. To turn their learning into action, they’ve been busy designing and building their very own rubbish collection devices.
Today was the big "Sea Trial!" Using a large tub of water to simulate the ocean, students put their prototypes to the test. The goal? To successfully retrieve at least two pieces of rubbish from the water. It was incredible to see the variety of nets, scoops, and mechanical arms they engineered to tackle the problem of ocean pollution.
Ask your child...
Did their prototype stay afloat, and how did they manage to "catch" the rubbish?
Year 5/6
Elements of Design!
Our Year 5/6 scientists have been exploring the building blocks of the universe in our Chemical Science unit. We’ve taken a deep dive into the Periodic Table, researching the history of how it was created and the fascinating properties of the elements within it.
To bring the table to life, students used Canva to re-imagine and re-design specific elements. They had to balance scientific facts with creative layouts to produce the eye-catching posters now on display in our classroom. From the explosive nature of hydrogen to the conductive powers of copper, the room is now a vibrant gallery of scientific discovery!
Ask your child...
Which element did they choose to re-design,
and what is one "superpower" that element has?
Regards,
Dorothy Markou
STEAM Specialist