On Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th May, our Science Department welcomed over 50 Year 5 pupils from 5 local primary schools for our 9th annual STEM Summer School. It is always a highlight in our busy outreach programme, enabling our Year 9 volunteers to mentor younger children through interesting science experiments.
We invited pupils from St Francis, St Thomas More, St Nicholas’ and Botley Primary Schools. We were struck by how they rose magnificently to the scientific challenges!
Twenty Year 9s took part; they demonstrated patience and good humour, sharing their knowledge about pH, acids and alkalis whilst paring down the concepts so that the younger children leapt ahead with their learning. After two days of hands-on, rigorous (and fun) activities from 9am-3pm, we were exhilarated and exhausted in equal measure! Well done to all the Year 5s and Year 9s who participated, they were a great credit to their school.
Here are a few comments from our Year 9 mentors:
“I really enjoyed guiding Year 5 through the experiments. We did chromatography; pH experiments using a red cabbage indicator and universal indicator. During lunch, we ate and played with the children! Overall, it was enjoyable.”
“I really enjoyed this experience with the Year 5s. It was a good opportunity to learn more about conducting science experiments in a lab. We had a fun time together and made lots of new friends!”
And from the Year 5s:
“This has been one of the best days I’ve had, looking at the colours we made with red cabbage and making copper go green in the flames.”
“Lunch was amazing and I really liked doing the experiments with a person who became a new friend.”
