STEAM Day

On Tuesday 7th October a team of Year 8 students visited Thorpe Park for a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) event organised by ACS International Schools. The team had been specially selected because of their outstanding performance in science in Year 7.

Excitement built before the trip even started: students completed pre-learning activities to earn stamps and stamps could be traded for rides at Thorpe Park! In the minibus the talk was of strategy…how to earn stamps as efficiently as possible to be able to go on the best rides. The mission was to get to Hyperia; the newest, scariest ride in the park. Five stamps were required for each ride, but if students achieved twenty stamps they could go on all the rides.

The park was closed to the public and bustling with school groups jostling for position at the most exciting stands. There were fifty stands hosted by universities, businesses, the police, the RAF and many others offering hands-on activities and demonstrations linked to STEAM subjects and careers. For each activity the students participated in they were awarded a stamp. Favourites included building and programming Lego versions of the theme park rides, watching a taser demonstration by the police and handling a leopard gecko. Anais, 8F, said: “It was very fun and I enjoyed the different activities.” 

The students’ behaviour was exemplary throughout and their enthusiasm was praised by many of the facilitators. They also showed excellent science knowledge in the quizzes and great character, supporting students that were nervous about the rides and looking after one another. Our time at the park was over all too soon. Kavinav, 8S said: “I enjoyed that we were at Thorpe Park instead of school. Some of the rides there were very thrilling.”

On the way back to school in the minibus (with Ms Hunter feeling slightly dizzy after being spun round on the teacups by some of the students!) the students broke into spontaneous song; revealing some hidden talents and an eclectic taste in music!

Many thanks to Ms Woodward for organising such a thrilling and successful trip for our Year 8 scientists.