It was an exciting week at English Martyrs’ Primary School, as we celebrated the theme of ‘TIME’ for British Science Week. We have had the chance to reflect on the events that happened, all the people who were a part of making it happen and why these events are important for schools to run.
Each year group prepared a display which we then invited parents and families to come along and see. This can’t be possible without the support of many, including teachers, assistants, the senior leadership team, administration staff, caretakers and also parental support. We displayed the range of activities children do in Science Club, as well as showcase the termly Science Project, where children are encouraged to undertake a home project based around a specific STEM theme. We are looking forward to now choosing some to submit to the British Science Association, who are also running a poster project competition based around the theme of ‘TIME’.
We had West End In Schools run theatre workshops, based on the theme of climate change. We also had Science Boffins come to our school and inspire and instill the love of science further, sharing some rocketing experiments.
We want to especially thank some volunteers who came into our school. Annette Scott spoke about her career in acupuncture and alternative medicine, including her lecturing at Northampton College. Professor Timothy Denison a neural engineer from the University of Oxford supported our Year 5 pupils, in collaboration with Primary Engineer, through their Vehicle Engineering Programme. He gave our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils a career talk on some of the work he is part of, specifically in the area of biomedical engineering, and how these skills have been used in the treatment of medical diseases such as epilepsy. Finally, we welcomed Harold Kikoyo, a mechanical engineering student from the University of Warwick. He shared with Year 6 and Year 4 pupils how he was inspired to study engineering, shared how these skills have given him the chance to work on a magnetic train project, look at sustainability of coastal regions and even transfer those skills to the world of banking, were he will be working as a summer intern at Morgan Stanley. He shared how he was lucky enough to have the support of his parents and teachers, but also how it was important for him to have had friendship groups who have the same goals and values as he does, as well instilling the ethic of working hard and finding other passions in life outside of work.
We definitely could see the increase in curiosity, appreciation and enthusiasm of the possibilities with science amongst all our pupils, and this is why these events are worth all the effort. It was only possible, with the help of many. Every step, with a little determination and collaboration, always leads to something great. This transpires to every aspect in life, and I think our pupils also learnt these valuable lessons during British Science Week.
