News

Students at Attleborough Academy enjoyed an action-packed and inspiring Curriculum Enhancement Week as they immersed themselves in the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Throughout the week, students worked towards the nationally recognised STEM CREST Discovery Award by completing a wide range of practical investigations and engineering challenges designed to develop teamwork, creativity, communication and problem-solving skills.

The week began with a series of hands-on STEM activities, including designing and launching water rockets, constructing the tallest and strongest towers from limited materials, investigating the absorbency of nappies and tackling a variety of engineering and scientific challenges. These activities encouraged students to think critically, test their ideas and refine their designs through investigation and experimentation.

Students also visited Pensthorpe Nature Reserve, where they took part in an Explorer Tour to discover Norfolk's diverse wildlife and habitats. They explored the importance of biodiversity and conservation before enjoying a pond-dipping session, where they identified a range of freshwater invertebrates and learned how these organisms can be used to assess the health of aquatic ecosystems.

Back at the Academy, students became aerospace engineers for the day during an Aircraft Engineering Challenge. Working in teams, they designed, built and tested model aircraft, applying principles of aerodynamics and engineering to improve their performance before competing to see whose design flew the furthest.

The week concluded with a visit to Africa Alive, where students took part in an interactive Discovery Session exploring animal adaptations, ecosystems and global conservation. The visit provided a fantastic opportunity to observe a wide range of species up close while learning about the vital work being undertaken to protect endangered animals around the world, particularly in Madagascar.

Mr Seymour, Deputy Head of Faculty, said:

"Our students approached every activity with enthusiasm, curiosity and determination. It has been fantastic to see them applying their scientific knowledge in real-world contexts while developing important skills such as teamwork, resilience and problem-solving. STEM Discovery Week has given students experiences that we hope will inspire many of them to continue exploring science and engineering long into the future."

STEM Discovery Week offered students a memorable programme of experiences beyond the classroom, helping them to develop valuable scientific and practical skills while reinforcing Attleborough Academy's commitment to inspiring curiosity, encouraging ambition and preparing young people for future careers in STEM.

Mr Seymour