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STEM Day
Support your learners’ careers related learning with this carousel of curriculum linked STEM activities.
KS3: Year 7 to Year 9
Description:
Throughout the day learners will rotate around 5 different STEM workshops, led by our team of education communicators.
These engaging workshops get learners to take part in interactive activities. They include:
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Developing learners coding skills as they programme a Lego Boost robot around a maze (Robot programming)
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Putting their problem solving and teamwork to work as they build the tallest hurricane proof tower with a limited budget to buy recycled materials. (Tower Tournament)
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Combining their physics knowledge and physical skills to complete a series of challenges including a batak board, sprint challenge and radar speed kick. (Practical Physics)
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Work in pairs to apply their maths skills in a series of Codebreaking challenges. (Codebreaking)
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Apply their understanding of atoms, molecules, and compounds to build models of medical drugs (using Moly Mods) and learn about the drug discovery process. (Molecules to medicine)
Aim:
By the end of these activities’ students will
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Understand how their skills and learning in school related to real world careers and challenges.
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Develop teamwork, problem solving, speaking, listening creativity, and aiming high skills.
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Recognise that STEM careers are for everyone.
Content:
Robot programming
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Short introduction to robots and how they are used in different industries including medicine, manufacturing and scientific research
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Using tablets learners programme Lego Boost robots (built as a Vernie) around a maze in teams of 4-6.
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Students build up their programme in sections and then at the end all teams showcase how successfully their robots navigates the maze.
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Focus is made on how robots are only as successful as their programmer and the importance of being very accurate with their code.
Tower Tournament
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Short introduction of structural engineering and engineering careers
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Work in team (4-6) to design and build the tallest tower out of recycled materials
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Buy their materials from a set budget and adapt to changing supply
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Test their designs with a large fan (hurricane generator)
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The session concludes with a reflective class discussion on tower performance and consideration of the science behind this.
Practical physics
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Introduction to the physics in sport and a safety briefing on each piece of equipment.
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Learners then rotate though the activities and complete a worksheet to support them in analysing their own performance and the scientific principles underpinning this.
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Sprint though timing gates
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Ball kick in radar inflatable goal
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Reaction time in batak board
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Look at the power they can generate by using a rowing machine
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Session finishes with a review of what they have learnt.
Codebreaking
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Short introduction to codes and their history though to modern computing.
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Discussion around why we use codes and examples (Ann Lister, Alan turning)
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Series of codebreaking challenges in pairs that build on from each other (Pixel coding, cyphers, morse code, tangrams etc).
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Discussion around careers linked to maths and coding
Molecules to medicine
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Introduction to atoms, molecule, and compounds
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Understand what different medicines are used for
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In pairs build a series of molecules of medical drugs
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Discussion around careers linked to biochemistry
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Build a large molecule as a class whilst learning about the drug discovery process.
Benefits:
Gatsby benchmarks:
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Linking curriculum learning to careers (4)
Enrichment:
Robot programming
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Computing: Can evaluate and apply information technology, including new or unfamiliar technologies, analytically to solve problems
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Computing: Understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system
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Design and Technology: Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists
Tower Tournament (E)
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Design and Technology: Develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations.
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Design and Technology: Test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification, taking into account the views of intended users and other interested groups
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Design and Technology: Understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists
Practical physics
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Science: Apply mathematical concepts and calculate results
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Mathematics: use and derive simple equations and carry out appropriate calculations
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Science - Describing motion: speed and the quantitative relationship between average speed, distance and time (speed = distance ÷ time)
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Science - Forces: using force arrows in diagrams, adding forces in one dimension, balanced and unbalanced forces
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Science - Energy: comparing amounts of energy transferred (J, kJ, kW hour)
Codebreaking
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Mathematics: Begin to reason deductively in geometry, number and algebra, including using geometrical constructions
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Mathematics: Select appropriate concepts, methods and techniques to apply to unfamiliar and non-routine problems.
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Computing: understand how instructions are stored and executed within a computer system; understand how data of various types (including text, sounds and pictures) can be represented and manipulated digitally, in the form of binary digits
Molecules to medicine (S)
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Science - Atoms, elements, and compounds:
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A simple (Dalton) atomic model
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differences between atoms, elements, and compounds
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chemical symbols and formulae for elements and compounds
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Logistics and planning:
All sessions are designed for around 30 learners. Some activities can be run with larger groups if requested.
We ask that a teacher is always present throughout the activities, to support learner engagement and manage behaviour.

What other activities would go well with Green Drive?
Our team of Education Communicators have a range of scientific and educational backgrounds and can deliver a great session to your learners. As well as this we can involve ambassadors if requested to further enrich the sessions.
For a quote please email with student numbers and location.
Sessions can be adapted to suit school needs and requirements.
Email: bookings@learnbydesign.co.uk for more information.
Inspire your learners with a Learn by Design workshop