STEM iDiscover Week.

05 Jul STEM iDiscover Week.

This term (July 1st – July 5th), EYFS all the way up to Year 6, have enjoyed a rich and engaging week of science, technology, engineering and maths lessons. The company ‘inspire’ supplied us with a diverse range of resources and volunteers to show the variety of different STEM jobs in our community. Each year group was given a theme and exciting lesson plans.

EYFS were learning about ‘Who Did It? – Detective Work’

The children were presented with a crime scene and had to take on the task of detectives, hunting for clues, exploring tyre tracks and working out which teacher did it! Pupils were able to experiment with metal detectors, microscopes and finger prints! The children enjoyed a visit from a Police Officer who encouraged them to become real life detectives.

Year 1 were learning about ‘Robots and Machines’

The children spent the week tinkering and solving engineering problems. The jobs that were primarily focussed on were: Robotic Engineer – Programming a floor robot. Mechanical Engineer – Repairing a toy. Civil Engineer – Building a marble run, and Biomedical Engineer – Creating a bending arm.

Year 2 were learning about ‘My Biology’

The children took part in a mini sleep study to help them understand the different job’s surrounding biology. The children focussed on four particular jobs: Neuroscientists, Physiotherapists, Biologists and Psychologists. The children participated in a range of activities to help them understand how neurons in the brain work and how our senses are designed to help our brain understand messages. The children also acted as physiotherapists treating patients to repair damage to muscles and joints. As psychologists they analysed people’s emotions and listened to others about their worries and concerns. It was a thrilling week with an excellent visit from a real Neuroscientist who explained why she became a scientist and how her research helps others.

Year 3 were learning about ‘Feed Me – The Food Industry’

The food industry was brought to life through career-related investigations. The job’s explored were: Dietician and Food Scientist. The children looked at digestive system models and had to conclude what would make a good diet for specific conditions, appetites and health. They were also lucky enough to meet a food scientist who took them through the process of making Ice Cream. A Food-Waste Scientist form Eco-Active visited to explain how we can get the best from our food waste via compost and reduction in waste.

Year 4 were learning about ‘Show Case – Lights, Camera, Action’

The children were taught that life in the entertainment industry bring electricity and light topics to life. The children became Sound Engineers, Lighting Technicians, Electrical Engineers and Production Managers. Most of this was achieved with an exciting trip to the renowned National Theatre on London’s Southbank. The children were able to make instruments, become light detectives, create circuits and design new sets with intricate lighting.

Year 5 were learning about ‘iGames’

The children in year 5 were encouraged to undertake entrepreneurial skills and develop their very own computer games. The children learnt about jobs such as Computer Programmer, Audio Engineer, Video Game Designer and Games Artist. All the skills learnt during these sessions are extremely relevant for jobs in the future and for jobs that are yet to exist.

Year 6 were learning about ‘Fast Forward – What do the Jobs of Tomorrow Look Like?’

The children had the fascinating task of thinking about jobs, technologies and sciences that don’t even exist yet. The pupils learnt about Re-generators, people who revive extinct species. They were taught about Space Architecture and how to explore virtual reality. Fascinatingly, they learnt about what is means to be a Pre-Disease Doctor who has the ability to predict illness.