Year 6 have had an amazing day at beamish Museum, one which was packed with heaps of STEM learning.
Our day began with the ‘Crank it up’ challenge. This was a crane building challenge using lego k’nex which we had been working on in school. We had to explain our design ideas to a group of professional engineers and then we tested how well our crane models completed the lifting challenge. Both Front Street cranes worked brilliantly, and the event organisers were wowed not only by how well our models worked but also by the teamwork and communication skills which we demonstrated.
Our STEM adventure continued with an Air Powered Rocket activity that linked to the 1950’s space race. Here, we had to work in small teams to construct a paper rocket. We experimented with different design features to improve stability and make the rocket more streamlined and then we went outside to test our designs using a special air powered launcher.
After a well-earned lunch break, all of Year 6 headed over to the Chapel in the Pit Village to take part in our final STEM activity of the visit, ‘Just One Spark’. Here, we learned all about the dangers of gas explosions in mining – we found out about the events of the Felling Pit disaster and then we helped to develop a miner’s lamp using the ideas of Humphrey Davis and William Clanny. After several explosive demonstrations, a working safety lamp was constructed, and our STEM challenges were all completed.
This left just enough time for a quick look around the miner’s cottages, some fun on the school yard with some Victorian toys and finally some free time on the field.
What a day!
