05/07/2018
A ‘space exploration’ themed learning event to help young people learn about science using STEM related skills has been funded by the Sirius Minerals Foundation. The event was attended by 160 students from 11 community primary schools in the area.
The STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) fair was hosted by Caedmon College Whitby and gave the eight, nine and ten year old students the chance to take part in a series of practical leaning activities.
The workshops included: propelling boats using ‘fizz’; an introduction to computer aided design; building balloon buggies; landing eggs on the moon using parachutes, and travelling through the planets using maths. The observatory at the school was also opened for all of the visiting children to try and spot planets and stars through a telescope.
Sarah Hugill, Senior IT Technician at Caedmon College Whitby, who helped to organise the event, said: “We would like to thank the Sirius Minerals Foundation for the grant, which enabled us to provide younger students in the area with a taste of the STEM curriculum in secondary schools.
She added: “Many people in the college worked hard to make this event a success, especially the staff delivering sessions and the 25 student helpers, who were a real credit to the college. The pupils loved it.”
Peter Woods, Trustee for the Sirius Minerals Foundation said: “I was delighted to be invited to the event to talk to the next generation of geologists, scientists and engineers. It was a fantastic day and the Foundation are pleased that the grant has been used to help enrich the science, technology, engineering and maths curriculum in local schools.”
The Sirius Minerals Foundation is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Charity number: 1163127