Year 5 have had such an amazing time on their school trip at the Locomotion Museum on Wednesday. Our trip was focused on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) helping pupils to gain exciting and additional skills linked to these fields, as well as providing an opportunity to see what kind of careers could be gained in the future. Pupils had a lot of fun taking part in range of exciting activities; the first being organised by Teesside University, involving the use of VR headsets to look at microbes within the human body and using pipettes to control different coloured liquids into petri dishes. They made some really interesting patterns with them!
Another activity was arranged by the ‘Great Engineers’ organisation, where pupils were given the opportunity to create different vehicles and constructs using different equipment that required using bolts and screws to assemble them. They were challenged to create windmills, cars, swings and seesaws. It was wonderful to see the children work so creatively and allow themselves to become thoroughly engaged in such hands-on activities.
The final part of our visit was organised by a very talented man called Hazen Bowskill, a STEM ambassador. They designed and tested catapults, investigating how different forces affected their function and effectiveness. Next, they explored gears using Lego cars, testing how gear power influenced movement. Finally, pupils learned how pulleys and forces can be used to lift and move objects from the ground.
This exciting day gave pupils a real-world insight into STEM careers, encouraging curiosity and problem-solving skills that will last a lifetime.
