Science Week 2020! Years 1-6

British Science Week: 6th - 15th March 2020

Dear Parents/Carers,

To celebrate British Science Week, we are running a whole school science based learning challenge where the children can pick one or more of the challenges below to complete at home. This year’s theme is ‘Our Diverse Planet’. We want to encourage young people to celebrate the amazing diversity we see across the world. From biodiversity to cultural and societal diversity, from the diversity of knowledge to STEM careers and subjects. There are lots of ways to explore this theme - we’d love to hear some of your ideas too!.

This year we are holding a Science Week Roadshow on Friday 13th March, where children can bring in science projects they have made, created and tested at home to share with parents and other pupils in the school.
There are some great websites to get inspiration from including:

• https://www.oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/sites/oxfordsparks.ox.ac.uk/files/STEM%20Futures%20brochure.WEB_.12Sep_1.pdf
• https://primarylibrary.crestawards.org/all-superstar-challenges/61747644
• https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/activity-packs/

1. Design and present your own science project for our Science Week Roadshow.

Of course you can be as creative as you like but any ideas linked to the theme ‘Our Diverse Planet’ would be fantastic! Your project must be eye-catching, colourful, neatly presented and interactive (if possible!).

Your project could involve any of the four STEM subjects, Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

• You could create a model or prototype.
  You will need to include:
  *Information on your design including it’s purpose
  *How your design functions and how you have tested it
  *Reflection on your design including any challenges you faced and how you could improve it.

Some examples made in University of Mead STEM Squad group will be on show, which includes an electrical quiz board and a cardboard prosthetic hand invention.

• You could design and set up your own science investigation.

All great science investigations start with a question. For example ‘How do shadows change over the time of the day?’ Think about the science topics you have learned in class and are there any other experiments you would like to do. You will need to include:
*A prediction of what you think will happen (hypothesis)
*Equipment needed
*Method of how to carry out your investigation
*Results – Was your prediction correct? Why?
*A conclusion of what you have learned!
Your investigation can be practical and something that can be shown in our roadshow.

• A well presented information board

You could also link this with this year’s theme and poster competition listed below. Use the information on the next page to get some great ideas! Other themes to base your board on:
*A person you have heard about in the news.
*A significant person with a STEM career or who has achieved something unbelievable.

2. Design a poster for this year’s British Science Week Poster Competition on the theme ‘Our Diverse Planet’.

Get creative and enter the British Science Association’s annual poster competition, on the theme of journeys (more details on: https://www.britishscienceweek.org/plan-your-activities/poster-competition/ ).
The 5 best posters from our school will be entered into the UK-wide competition with the chance for students to win an array of prizes, or you can enter your poster at home yourself.

Any entries for our Science Week Roadshow will be due by Tuesday 10th March 2020. KS2 entries are to be given to Mrs Hillyear and KS1 entries are to be given to Miss Redgrave. Good luck! Try to be as creative as possible and think outside the box! We look forward to seeing some fantastic entries this year!

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Hillyear & Miss Redgrave