Oldcastle pupils inspired in STEM subjects

Children in all year groups at Oldcastle Primary had an amazing week recently with so many activities, trips and visitors inspiring and educating children in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects.

Children in various year groups have been on trips to visit Bridgend College to take part in a food technology session learning how to use wonky or close to use by ingredients. Some of the dishes that returned to school has looked amazing and tasted lovely too. Thank you so much to Bridgend College for hosting our children this week - the children have learnt a great deal and hopefully will inform parents at home!

Trips were also organised to Solcer House in Pyle. The specially built house is the first 'smart' carbon positive house. Children were also able to see wind turbines and solar farms up close and learn about the anaerobic digestive system. Some of our younger pupils visited Porthcawl and took part in a clean up of the beach to investigate plastic waste.

Teachers have provided very hands on learning experiences throughout the week where children have made gloopy slime, made recycled paper, colour changing flowers, bottle explosions, built solar toys, dancing raisins, supersized marshmallows, bird feeders, dissection, to name just a few of the activities undertaken.

Children who are part of our School Council, Eco, Newspaper and digital leader teams in years 2 to 6 took part in an incredible experience at the end of the week - creating a radio show about their STEM experiences. The show is absolutely brilliant and provides lovely feedback from the children about what they enjoyed throughout the week. The radio show can be listened to by clicking on the link on our website.

‘We are so fortunate to have had the support of many businesses, parents and staff throughout our hugely successful STEM week. Children loved the variety of sessions that were offered and it was satisfying to see children enjoying learning in a stimulating environment. I can’t thank enough all those that gave up their time to make this such an enjoyable experience for the children. We are looking forward to developing our STEM week further for 2019 with the aim of inspiring, motivating and educating children’, states Jeremy Thompson, Head teacher of Oldcastle Primary School.

We have had many visitors this week and we are grateful for time taken to come into Oldcastle. Special thanks to Swansea University, Innovate UK, South Wales Police, STEM ambassadors, Clare Davies, Seaquest, CGI, Dr Mark Smith, Dr O'Malley, Royal Mint, John Laver, Alun Armstrong, Nat West, Boston Scientific, and Vesarian.

The school would like to thank Madeleine Moon MOP for visiting and supporting our STEM week. Mrs Moon donated a ‘Tim Peak’s Spacecraft Mission Pack’. This pack was awarded to Jude from year 3 who showed an enthusiastic approach to all STEM activities.