Pupils enjoy innovative Science Week at Bede Campus

Pupils from Grangetown and Mill Hill primary schools celebrated all things science during an exciting and interactive visit to Sunderland College. 

The Year 6 youngsters were invited to Bede Campus as part of British Science Week, where they took part in an array of engaging activities with the college’s science specialists. 

During the day, which started off in Bede’s new £3m Innovation Space, the pupils found out about the vital role science plays in everyday life and the female scientists who changed the world such as Marie Curie, Gertrude Elian, Lise Meitner and Rosalind Franklin.  

They then donned lab coats and safety glasses for a series of experiments and presentations around gravity, electrons, the human body and space, before rounding off their trip with a demonstration in the spectacular Immersive Space, a 360-degree shared VR ‘cylinder’ with full wraparound wall and floor projection. 

“I enjoyed when we were pulling the rope with the weight attached to try and make it straight,” said Lily from Grangetown Primary, while Bronwen loved visiting different places around the world in the Immersive Space. 

Their teacher, Miss Stell, added: “The visit gave the children a fantastic insight into science outside of the school environment. I particularly enjoyed the chemistry session, and our pupils were able to record many excellent facts which they learnt during the experiments. 

“The college staff were very friendly and offered the children a brilliant experience.” 

Pupils and staff from Mill Hill Primary were also impressed with their visit to Bede Campus. 

Anna said: “I loved visiting Sunderland College and experiencing some amazing things. My favourite thing was the Immersive Space and I loved seeing all the images such as space, inside the human body, and learning about Katherine Johnson and Rosalind Frankline. 

“It was an amazing trip and I loved it so much. I hope one day I can be as smart as Albert Einstein. Science is amazing.” 

Classmate Finley, added: “The Immersive Space was fantastic, it was a whole new way of learning.”  

Meanwhile, Sophie really enjoyed being in the science labs. She said: “The science experiment with the Daphnia water fleas was so interesting.” 

Their teacher added: “It was a great visit. The colleges resources are excellent, and the Immersive Space is amazing.” 

British Science Week, run by the British Science Association, is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for people of all ages across the UK. 

It provides a platform to stimulate and support teachers, professionals, science communicators and the public to produce and participate in events and activities. 

Adam Sams, Sunderland College Sixth Form Curriculum Manager, said: “We had an amazing morning hosting the pupils and their teachers, and it was a great way to celebrate British Science Week. 

“They had a fantastic time learning from our specialists in the labs and enjoyed an incredible demonstration in our Immersive Space which has hopefully sparked their curiosity, creativity and inspired a love of science.” 

To find out how Sunderland College can enhance your school’s curriculum and pupils’ learning, email alison.graham@educationpartnershipne.ac.uk or call 0300 770 8000.