Science: Unlocking Potential

Dr Caroline Oprandi keeping you up to date with science & technology at PACA

W e have come to the end of our Greenpower Race Car topic and we are just waiting for University of Brighton to 3D scan and print our winning models ready for testing the aerodynamics of the models within their Engineering Wind Tunnel. We are very lucky to have Leonardo from Ricardo Engineering helping us in our Afterschool club to finalise the car.
It really has been a great start for our STEM curriculum. It is evident from the pupils’ reactions that we are managing to engage those that would not necessarily have thought of science and technology as a subject for them. So far we haven’t needed to rely on any tests or assessments in order to monitor their level of progress since it is extremely evident from the level of engagement, and their presentations, that they have an excellent attitude to independent learning. The pupils do also have traditional science and maths lessons and STEM compliments these lessons.
Our next topic is Astronomy and we are making the most of having our astronaut Ken Bowersox visit the school by referring to his space missions in the lesson. However, the main ‘mission’ for the KS3 pupils is to develop a movie that includes at least six key events in astronomy. The movies will then be entered into a competition called Into Film: Into Space.

Into Film states on their website that “Into Film: Into Space includes many great, free activities for young people to take part in around the themes of space and exploration, with the most exciting being a first-of-its-kind filmmaking competition that offers the chance for six lucky entrants to have their winning entries screened in orbit around the Earth! As part of perhaps our most exciting competition yet, we’re asking you to create a short film on the themes of ‘exploration’ and ‘space’. Films that are entered must be:
Themed around space or exploration. Outer space? Your own space? A space that you love?
Made by young people between the ages of 5 and 19, either solo or as part of a group, in or out of school.
The six chosen winners will have their films blasted into space! British European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Tim Peake is embarking on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) and he’ll be taking the six winning films with him, to be screened for all the astronauts on the station.”
The KS3 pupils are already being extremely creative and coming up with some great ideas (not all feasible I have to say at this point!), however whether they win or not, I can’t wait to see the final results.
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) is a college offering sixth form, 11-16 years, youth centre, adult learning, community education, sports centre and pre-school. Find out more at www.paca.uk.com