Year 8 and 9 students from Smithdon visited local junior schools to work with the children on some practical science experiments examining the theme of time. They were supported by our STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Lead, Veronica Soper, who helped with preparation and accompanied them on the trips.

Schools visited by the Smithdon scientists, who worked in teams of 10, included Dersingham, Ingoldisthorpe, Hunstanton, Docking, Sandringham and Flitcham, as well as fellow WNAT members Heacham Junior and Snettisham Primary.

“The students had been attending STEM Club with Mrs Soper in school, designing and perfecting the experiments,” said Claire Pike, Head of Science at Smithdon, which is a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust.

“Some of our students remember older students going into their junior school while they were there, and really enjoyed being able to do this themselves.”

Other British Science Week activities also focused on time.

‘During the week, Key Stage 3 science classes took part in lessons using resources on the theme of time,” continued Mrs Pike. “These ranged from looking at how quickly plants grow, to how quickly a rain gauge fills up – which at the moment is very quickly!

“We also looked at the timeline of the universe, and hours, minutes and yoctoseconds, in terms of half life of some radioactive samples.”

The week began on Monday with a whole-school assembly to promote science both in school and as a career, and closed on Friday with a science-themed quiz for all year groups.

“All the Science Department took part with their classes during the week,” added Mrs Pike. “It is very important that as a school we take part in a national event such as this, because it gives the students a different perspective of science, and we can really focus on one aspect.”