Chuter Ede Primary School in Balderton and Fernwood science day inspires future generation into STEM careers with help from Newark Academy
A school hosted a day of scientific experiments and talks from experts to encourage pupils to think differently about the subject.
The science day was held by Chuter Ede Primary School across both their Fernwood and Balderton sites with a strong focus on science being for everyone and making sure the children know that it is available to them as a career.
The whole school got involved from foundation year learning about sinking and floating by making boats, all the way through to year six who were visited by a pharmacist and a forensic scientist who explained their jobs and answered questions.
Becky Pennick, a teacher at the Fernwood site, said: “The idea behind science day was dispelling the myth with children that a scientist is a man in a white suit with goggles and a test tube in a laboratory with and to tell them about all of the careers available to them through science.”
Science is one part of the STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmatics — and can lead to a wide range of career path from studying animals and working in healthcare, to designing flood defences and investigating crimes.
To explain these different type of job a special video was produced by students from the nearby Newark Academy.
Another teacher at the school, Annalea Dobson, said: “By year six they already have such an interest so it’s important to show them the range sciences.
“We wanted to connect science lessons to real life and what they can do in the future.
“Every year had their own activities and we have had such support from parent who have been in to talk about their science based jobs which has been brilliant because it show thoe options out there are closer to home.”
The school hopes to keep the interest in science going by continuing to work with other organisations and schools in the future.
Video produced by and article written with the assistance of Elizabeth Nicholson.
