Over the course of two weeks, Presdales students were involved in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) activities.

This included:

• PPMA Virtual STEM morning – Year 8
• ‘A life of Design’ – Year 7
• Xposure! X-ray imaging from 1895 to the present day – Sixth Form
• D&T careers morning – Year 9
• Careers is STEAM – Year 10

We really appreciate all the volunteers who come into Presdales to share their experiences with the students.

PPMA Virtual STEM morning

Year 8 students participated in a virtual STEM morning. Through a live stream students meet Engineers. The students were given two Challenges. Working to a tight deadline, students built an Eco Factory Roller Loader, this was a marble run to safely move a product from A to B, the slower the better. Well done to the winning group, Evie, Scarlett, Violet, Mae and Jessica all in 8MP. The second challenge was called BEST Pitch, teams had to brainstorm and come up with an idea for an invention or piece of tech, and then present their ideas to the others in their form group. The winning idea was a Sub-Glasses. Excellent work by Rosanna, Emma, Abi, Sophie and Remas from 8PK.

‘On Tuesday we had stem day. We learnt all about the different opportunities we could get from stem. We were told about how even if we wanted to change jobs we wouldn’t have to find a whole new job and we could find lots of other jobs within STEM. We started off the day with a marble run. The aim of this task was supposed to be that we had to make it go as slow as possible. I was in a group with Alice, Sophie, Jess and Sophie we all agreed on a very effective design and our best time for our marble run was 7.40 seconds. We came second in our class and it was very fun. After lunch we joined another zoom call and there was a speech about how women succeed in STEM. Then we got shown lots of videos to get our creative juices flowing and then we got let go for an hour and then we designed our own invention. My group made a house that decorates itself at different times of the year. We won the award in our class and got put through to the finals. Sadly, we didn’t win but we were very happy that we got through to the finals. This was such a fun day and I wish I could do it again.’

Annabelle 

‘A life of Design’

‘Earlier this morning we had 2 visitors called ‘Matt and Ali’ who had a job in steam which means ‘Science Technology Engineering Art Maths’. They spoke to Year 7 about how their job works and what we would want to be when we are older, and surfing? What does surfing have to do with STEAM? When they said steam the waves and how technology has changed through the years, how jobs were done so differently than how they are done today.

Some steam jobs; engineer, architect, designer of any kind, scientist, artist and more.’

Lottie 

Xposure! X-ray imaging from 1895 to the present day

We were extremely lucky to have Dr Liz Parvin and talk to sixth from scientists about X-rays.

The discovery of X-rays by Roentgen in 1895 marked the beginning of medical imaging; it was the first time that anyone had been able to see inside the body without cutting it open. This talk will chart the development of X-ray imaging from those first fuzzy images to the colourful and detailed 3D computed tomography (CT) images that we see today. Along the way we shall look at the physics behind X-ray imaging and the maths of creating CT images.

By the end of the talk, it will be clear that modern medicine is very heavily reliant on physics, maths, engineering and computing and that there are many rewarding careers available in these areas.

D&T careers morning

Careers is STEAM

Finally, Neil Melton came to talk to Year 10 about the many opportunities available in STEAM and his varied career. The highlight was Emilia expertly playing the musical instruments that Neil and his team have made.