WEAR IT WILD. Pictured are children from Stourfield Junior School who were taking part in a maths workshop as part of Avonbourne Trust’s STEM Day. They were ably assisted by Year 7 students from Avonbourne and Harewood colleges.
Hundreds of Bournemouth primary school children had a wild time exploring life at ‘big’ school.
The youngsters were treated to a fascinating insight into the world of endangered wild animals using techniques taught in science, technology, English and Maths at Avonbourne and Harewood colleges.
More than 250 Year 5 youngsters from three schools were attending a fun-filled STEM (science, technology, English and maths) Challenge Day hosted by Avonbourne Trust.
The students from Kings Park Academy, Stourfield Junior and Pokesdown Primary schools were treated to a day of interactive workshops and hands-on activities.
WEAR IT WILD. Pictured are boys from Pokesdown Primary School who were taking part in a science workshop as part of Avonbourne Trust’s STEM Day. They were ably assisted by Year 7 students from Harewood College.
CEO of Avonbourne Trust, Debbie Godfrey-Phaure, said: “Engaging our students in these very important core subjects is at the heart of everything we do at our colleges.
“Our STEM ‘wear it wild’ day was held so we can show the students of tomorrow how we teach these subjects and demonstrate to them just how much fun learning at secondary school can be.”
The packed day of activities saw the children split into groups so they could take part in many and varied challenges.
In maths they used real data on animals facing extinction to evaluate which species were most vulnerable and could become extinct in their lifetime.
Technological skills were put to the test when the children were challenged to make paper frogs that could hop.
WEAR IT WILD. Pictured are girls from Stourfield Junior School who were taking part in a technology workshop as part of Avonbourne Trust’s STEM Day.
Over in the science labs they learned how some animals are endangered due to contagious diseases and investigated possible scientific solutions.
Their creative juices flowed in the English workshops when the children were tasked with coming up with a campaign that could raise awareness of endangered animals.
Each group chose an animal to focus their support on, writing a poem reflecting their feelings.
In each workshop Year 7 students from Avonbourne and Harewood colleges were on hand to assist and answer any questions the younger children had.
Adam Biddle, a Year 5 teacher from Pokesdown Primary, said: “The STEM day provides our children with a fantastic insight into life at a secondary school.
“They are able to gain confidence in meeting a range of teachers and are able to take part in some exciting and enrich their learning.”
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