From learning about Mars and coding on a LEGO workshop to launching miniature satellites into the stratosphere as part of the European Space Agency UK National CanSat competition, rocket science is taking off across Harrodian age groups.
The first STEM initiative was a visit to the Natural History Museum where our 10s and 11s pupils participated in a Mission to Mars Lego Explorers workshop. It is only the second year that this optional trip has run and triple the number of children signed up compared to last year. Organised by Jake Murray, Head of STEM and 3D Design, and Luke Whelan, Teacher of Physics, the trip gave 70 of our pupils either a morning or afternoon dedicated to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
On a tour of the Explore Space Gallery in the Science Museum, Prep pupils participated in an hour’s challenge to answer worksheet questions on subjects ranging from the Apollo 10 landing module to space suit design. They learnt about spacecraft sent to other planets and looked at the design and engineering of rockets, probes and landers.
I loved the coding part and giving my rover cool features like solar panels, a digger and plant gun!
Apoline, 10s / Year 6 pupil
They then walked over to the Natural History Museum where they listened to two presentations delivered by museum scientists – the first about the importance of space exploration, the solar system and in particular Mars – its size, distance from the sun and atmosphere and the second about block coding and using LEGO® Education WeDo 2.0 robotic sets. In an exciting finale, the groups were set a challenge to see how their rovers performed on a large-scale realistic Martian surface. In their teams, they decided on the aims for their rover and built appropriate tools and features, whilst also considering the budget and weight of their designs.
My favourite part was coding our rovers to get them to travel across the Martian surface and be first to touch a plant in the middle. We came joint first but very nearly beat the boys in the other winning team!
Anna, 10s / Year 6 pupil
“I loved the coding part and giving my rover cool features like solar panels, a digger and plant gun!” says Apoline from the 10s. “My favourite part was coding our rovers to get them to travel across the Martian surface and be first to touch a plant in the middle. We came joint first but very nearly beat the boys in the other winning team!” grins Anna. Both girls are now keen to try some of the many STEM clubs on offer in the Prep school, two of which (Bit Bot and Lego Mindstorm) are focussed on coding.
The second STEM initiative this term involved the launching of mini satellites on a CanSat testing day. It was five years ago that Harrodian first made an impact in the CanSat world. They reached the national final in the spring of 2019 and were awarded with the runners-up prize for technical achievement. Today they're back with a new and younger generation of would-be space scientists: a group of 12 pupils varying in age from the youngest, Max (in the 13s/Year 9) – a real STEM enthusiast, right up to Sixth Form.
But what is CanSat - well it is what is on the tin! It’s a project that wraps up a range of essential modern ‘techie’ skills – coding, engineering, electronics – in one exciting product design package. Conceived and organised by the European Space Agency, the UK National CanSat competition challenges schools all over the country to build a mini-satellite: an object that integrates all the essential systems found in its full-sized cousin – power, sensors and a communication system – within a volume the size of a soft drinks can. Competitors are then required to launch their ‘CanSat’ to a height of 150 metres where it must transmit flight data (temperature and pressure) and, with the help of a parachute, return to earth safe and sound.
I want to be an architect, but I love the idea of working on building something and then literally seeing it blast off in front of me!
Vera, Lower Sixth student
On Tuesday 5th March the CanSat group set off to the National Visitor Centre and Model Flying site of the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) in Buckminster to test launch their model satellites. The three teams had mixed results and now have to wait and see if they have qualified to take part in the national finals later on in the year.
Anais and Vera, both Lower Sixth and 3D Design students, absolutely love CanSat. Initially part of the reason they chose to take part was the prestige associated with a European Space Agency sponsored project and how it would benefit their UCAS application, but they have since discovered how much fun it is. Anais, who studies Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and 3D Design for A Level, is focusing on the engineering aspects of the project as she is keen to pursue a career in the field. Vera, the project manager of her CanSat group, is studying Mathematics, 3D Design and History of Art for A Level but isn't planning a career in engineering. “I want to be an architect, but I love the idea of working on building something and then literally seeing it blast off in front of me!
It's great to do something with people that you like, that’s rather niche but that you’re all passionate about
Anais, Lower Sixth student
Both girls have a passion for the practical skills that CanSat club is teaching them: leadership, logic and problem-solving and also love the new friends they've made in other year groups. 'It's great to do something with people that you like, that’s rather niche but that you’re all passionate about,' enthuses Anais
Harrodian runs an extensive programme of STEM clubs across the Prep and Senior School, these range from Lego Mindstorm (coding), Bit:Bot Racing (coding), Rockets, Biospheres Building, F1 in schools, CanSat, High Altitude Ballooning, Aviation, Space Exploration, and the Chemistry of Food and Wine. For more information about any of our STEM clubs and initiatives please contact Head of Design and STEM, Jake Murray.