Pupils from Pinchmill Lower School, Goldington Green Academy and Springfield Lower School were nominated by their teachers to attend a Science Academy which was held on Saturday mornings. The sessions were designed to stretch and challenge those who are particularly interested in science.
Daniel Honnor, a physics teacher at Bedford Modern School and the Science Outreach Co-ordinator, explained: “Earlier in the year I took some Sixth Form students to three lower schools where we delivered practical activities to pupils in years three and four to introduce them to aspects of science that they would not ordinarily encounter as part of the curriculum.
“As a result of those sessions, teachers in the three schools nominated pupils who they felt would gain most from attending the Science Academy at BMS on Saturday mornings. This is the first time we have run such a programme but I have been delighted with the results. I was so impressed by the sheer enthusiasm of all eight of the children who took part. They asked lots of questions, got really involved and I really hope they continue to have an interest in science as they grow.”
During the course of the sessions, held in May and June, the children learned scientific facts including how the effects of atmospheric pressure can crush a can, the acidity of household substances and how a Van de Graaff generator works.
Eight year-old Thomas from Pinchmill Lower School was very enthusiastic about his experience and said: “I absolutely loved it! I was fascinated by the slime – it was all green and gooey, like radiation fluid!”
The Academy will run again next year with the hope of entertaining and inspiring another group of local students.
