Schools celebrate British Science Week

It was time for Smithdon High School students to shine during British Science Week (6 - 15 March) as they engaged with younger primary students by passing on their knowledge on all things science.

The 10-day programme centres on the STEM subjects of science, engineering, technology and maths. Year 9 and Year 10 students toured a number of primary schools in the area including Hunstanton, Ingoldisthorpe, Dersingham, Heacham, Brancaster, Snettisham and Docking to teach Year 3 students all about their work.

Smithdon science teacher Veronica Soper said:

“We’re celebrating British Science Week with our Youth STEM Award (YSA) students (the YSA is similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award system but for STEM subjects). The theme for this week is ‘Our Diverse Planet’.

“Visiting schools is part of their ‘engaging with the future generation’ strand where they have planned the activities to show the younger children and these hours will contribute to their award. For a bronze award they have to do at least 10 hours in four different strands. We’re out every afternoon this week visiting seven local schools.”

The children got to study chromatography using skittles

Activities included chromatography which is identifying the components of different dyes in skittles, using a ripple tank to generate waves mimicking plastic pollution in the ocean, an animal vision activity where they have modelled different types of vision in animals, then using a fan to measure how far seeds can disperse and creating square bubbles.

Smithdon student Isla wowed the pupils with her trick