At Laurus Ryecroft (LR), we strive to develop a passion and enthusiasm for Science in all of our students. Towards the end of June, students enjoyed a week packed full of a variety of STEM trips!
After the success of our annual Science Week in March, students were eager to get stuck into more STEM activities.
Industrial Cadets Trip
On Tuesday 20th June, 12 of our Year 8 students represented our school in the Industrial Cadets Awards ceremony at Sheffield Hallam University.
After getting brilliant feedback on their online presentations to the judges, the two LR teams presented their research, report and models of “The theme park of the future” to students from 10 other schools in the North West.
Students impressed judges with their project and delivery
All students were awarded a Bronze Level Industrial Cadets Award by the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), and one team was runner-up to the Teamwork award!
During the day, students got to program a nanobot to follow a set of instructions.
They also had the chance to explore the different projects that other schools had put together.
A team of students work together to program their nanobot during the Industrial Cadet Awards.
There were some interesting projects, including a sustainable football stadium and a shopping centre which uses shoppers’ steps as a source of energy!
Success at the Trust Science Fair
On Wednesday 21st June, six students represented Laurus Ryecroft in the Trust Science Fair.
The annual fair is a KS3 competition between Laurus Trust schools where teams present the best science projects as voted for in their own school fairs.
A team representing Laurus Ryecroft at the Trust Science Fair with their project on Xenotransplantation.
One LR team presented a well-researched project on Xenotransplantation, and another achieved 3rd place for their project ‘Muscle vs Machine’.
Team ‘Muscle vs Machine’ came 3rd in the Trust for their insightful project.
They won a unique STEM badge and treats for their efforts.
The fair was a brilliant opportunity for our students to develop oracy skills and gain confidence with public speaking.
STEM University Challenge
On Thursday 22nd June, a group of Year 9 students had the opportunity to take part in a MCS Science & Technology challenge day at the University of Manchester.
The students worked together in mixed school teams of four to tackle STEM themed challenges.
These included tasks such as diagnosing a series of patients, programming a robot to avoid obstacles, and producing facial features with a profiling software used by the police to identify suspects.
The students had a great time and enjoyed the chance to work with students from different schools in a demanding setting.
Two LR students were part of a team who won the profiling competition, and another LR student was on the overall winning team!
Everyone was awarded a certificate for partaking in the challenge.
Big congratulations to them and all who were selected to take part.
We had a super week celebrating our love of Science – thank you to all students involved and everyone who made these trips possible!