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This year’s week of STEM activities, as organized by the Science, Math’s and Art Technology departments, saw an array of exciting opportunities to engage HGABR students into the field of STEM.

Students that took part throughout the week got to make the colours of the rainbow using chemicals and indicators, explored what goes into a firework, tested their engineering skills by building and launching a rocket, took part in a presentation on a dissection of a fish and attended a science based ‘rap battle’, just to name a few of the exciting activities.

Not to be forgotten, students also had the chance to celebrate International Women’s day with a presentation by our Year 9 students, a Q&A session with a First Officer for British Airways and a streaming of the Ted Talk by Jeddiah Isler, on ‘The Untapped Genius’.

Keep reading for some of the other amazing STEM goings-on that took place in #STEM Week.

Year 7 students got to experience the ZooLab, where they met Charlie the snake, as well as other delightful creatures. Students and staff, had the opportunity to hold, touch and ask questions during their sessions, learning about the environments for each animal and the best way to care for them. As you can see, Miss Shiyani and I joined in to say hi to our special visitors.

By Ms Gavin – Coordinator of Science

During STEM week, we had the opportunity to meet Helen Cam, a First Officer working for British Airways. It was a celebration for women in STEM as International Women’s day had recently passed. Helen talked about the progression of her career through civil aviation and what it’s like behind the scenes of an airport. She explained how the life of a pilot is an exciting one where you may never know your next destination. Afterwards, there was a friendly Q&A where all of us were buzzing to ask questions about the specific details of a pilot’s training and career. Helen kindly answered our questions to the fullest and seemed more than happy answering our more difficult questions. It was interesting hearing her talk about her personal life and how she balances flying and family. This goes to show that even amidst a busy schedule there is always time for everything you want to do.
Meeting Helen impacted all of us. Some of our group have aspirations in a career in aviation, and seeing what Helen has accomplished made the dream seem more achievable.  Hearing just how difficult and expensive the education needed is, made us more devoted to try harder in school. Helen advised us to take every opportunity that presents itself to us, as this is the only way to reach your personal goals. The whole talk was truly motivational and we thank Ms. Gavin for organising the talk and Helen for taking time out of her busy schedule to show us a snippet of her life.

By Charlotte and Mahdeia – Year 9
 

The Math’s department went all out with activities including a Pi(e) baking competition that took place after school on the Friday. We nearly ran out of space with all the participants creating their own bake off showpieces. 1st prize went to Crystal and Nasra in Year 8.

Well done to Chahinez  who stepped up to the Pi recital challenge and accomplished an amazing 250 digits.

Finally, the winners of the whole academy math’s treasure hunt (involving all the staff at the academy) were
Year 7 – Mariam
Year 8 – Hamda
Year 9 – Comfort
Year 10 – Lily
Year 11 – Divya

Well done to all who took part!

By Miss Shiyani – Coordinator of Mathematics

Not to be left out, the art and technology department hosted life drawing sessions with guest appearances from the academy’s quails and other creepy crawlies. Year 7 and 8 students tested their coding skills with a beginners guide to binary, python coding and the BBC micro:bit. While, Miss Bellinger hosted a photography session where students explored the history and chemistry of filters. After a brief demonstration, students developed their own black and white images which can be seen in the art department.

  
By Mr Meldrum – Teacher of Art, Design and Technology