Steven in Space
Steven the STEM bug has brought back some stunning photos from his journey into space.
The pictures feature Steven – our school mascot for STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and maths – above the East Midlands on his journey into space.
He was sent with a camera on a two metre helium balloon, which rose to over 70,000 feet before bursting and eventually landing in Melton Mowbray.
Year 7 student Kyle was part of the group who helped Dr Wong with the launch. He said, “It’s really exciting. It’s the first time I’ve ever done anything like this.”
Many thanks to XMA and the PTA, who sponsored the project.
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STEM is already up and running for the new year, with an exciting project next week to launch a helium balloon into space.
Recording and GPS equipment will be fixed to the balloon, so students will be able to track its journey into the atmosphere.
STEM also received a boost this week, with the news that we have been successful in our application to work with The Ogden Trust. The Ogden Trust is a charity which promotes the teaching of Physics and STEM through a variety of exciting schemes.
This partnership has come about as a result of our excellent STEM work in the past, and we are excited about the opportunities it will bring for our students.
We will also be holding a STEM careers fair on the 29th of October, when STEM Ambassadors will be come to speak to our year 9s, year 11s and post 16 pupils about opportunities in STEM related careers. For more information, students should contact Dr Wong or their science teacher.
A Leading School for STEM
We have been praised for our STEM work, while hosting the latest STEMNET meeting for teachers in the East Midlands.
STEMNET helps teachers to inspire young people in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The meetings are an opportunity for teachers to meet STEM Ambassadors – volunteers from industry who can support STEM activities in schools.
Phil Hughes, Director of the Nottinghamshire STEMNET contract holders said, “Arnold Hill has a great reputation for its STEM work. It is one of the few schools to have a policy to link the STEM subjects.”
Thinktank Visit
Over 70 pupils nominated by their STEM teachers have visited the Birmingham Thinktank.
Pupils had the chance to get involved with LEGO robotics, over 200 hands-on displays and they got to watch a 3D movie on the giant screen cinema.
A good time was had by all - especially Steven the STEM bug!
Have You Got the Bug?
Meet Steven the STEM bug! He may look fluffy, but he’s actually doing an important job – giving our students an infectious enthusiasm for STEM!
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and maths. STEM activities focus on the overlapping skills between these subjects, to help students develop a cross-curricular approach to learning.
Primary Liaison
Throughout March, Dr Wong and Mr Bowen did STEM outreach work at Arnold View primary school.
Year 5 and 6 pupils designed and made a model car, considering aerodynamics as well as testing them to see how different weights effect how far they will travel. The year 4s conducted Project Hamster, where they studied different habitats, looked after Peanut the hamster, and investigated how maggots behaved in sunlight.
Ethan, Ben and James, who are all in year 5, said: “These activities were great. I liked designing and making the cars a lot. It was very creative and imaginative and I had a lot of fun.”
STEM Training Session
We now have a funded contract with STEMNET to provide STEM training sessions for teachers in the East Midlands. Dr Wong ran an external continuing professional development session on 28th March. Details of any further sessions will be on the school website when they are confirmed.
Science and Engineering Week
As part of National Science and Engineering Week 2012, we put on a variety of challenges and competitions.
“One hundred and one things to do with a Malteser without eating it” was a series of challenges including: how long can you keep a Malteser rolling for with five bits of paper and a bit of sticky tape, how could you move a Malteser through an obstacle course without using your hands, and how much water can you move from one side of a room to another using some paper, sticky tape and Maltesers.
Each day we also gave out prizes to competition winners.
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