Blists Hill (STEM) extravaganza

Tue, 29 Sep 2015

On Wednesday 16th September a group of top ability Year 7 students were given an amazing opportunity to take part in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) extravaganza that was largely delivered by Wolverhampton University, and various international businesses such as Epson. The venue that hosted the exciting event was Blists Hill Victorian Town which already has a fabulous focus on historical local industry. The highly engaging event involved fun experiments and demonstrations showing everything; from how raw materials are sourced, to production processes and distribution to markets. There were fantastic STEM inspired workshops and activities across the Victorian Town including geology & mining activities. The students were creative by making iron on a stick, metal casting, enameling and brick making. They were also mesmerized by the diversity of aquatic creatures that they found whilst pond dipping and learned about how the organisms act as bio-indicators and so demonstrate the low level pollution in the pond. As well as the workshops, there were various demonstrations including a working bloomery, making iron using homemade charcoal in the Ironworks, blowing up balloons in the bakery, extremely impressive imploding oil drums and Blists Hill Victorian Town’s magnificent engines were also in full steam for the day. Many of the students had previously visited the Victorian Town, but this themed day was extra special and the students took great pleasure in making records of their discoveries in their dedicated scrap books. The day provided our students with enriching activities that encouraged creativity whilst immersing them in local history, a perfect day was had by all.

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