Edwinstowe’s St Mary’s Church of England Primary School children became scientists for a week, undertaking a variety of projects and practical tasks. 

Class 3 teacher Katie Wright said children relished the tasks and problem-solving set during the week.

Foundation Stage children investigated a variety of materials and used their knowledge to make bridges based on the story of Billy Goat Gruff. Class 2 children co-operated in making a marble run using recycled materials, using buffers to stop the marbles from falling off and finding innovative ways of stabilising the structure.  

In Class 3, children were inspired by stone age art and took part in printing techniques.

“Class 3 looked at fossils and created their own printed artworks using stone age techniques,” explained Katie. “They created their own colour pigments by grinding down grass, flowers and soil, leaving the water to evaporate. These pigments were then used in printing and paintings.”

Eight-year-old pupil Harry Brice said: “I printed ammonites on my picture. First, I drew my design on to paper, then put my design on to a tile. After I put my paint on the tile, I pressed the tile on to paper using a roller. I am happy with how it turned out and enjoyed doing it.”

Katie said the science week had been a great success.

“The children were really engaged with the innovation aspect of their science work, especially when it came to creating their own pigments using things found in Nature. So much so that some even made their own pigments at home.”

Children in Class 4 (upper Key Stage 2) created designs for new machines and were visited virtually by a professor of virology to discuss how science is used in the response to the coronavirus pandemic. 

“It has been wonderful to see the children question, solve problems and create some great work, both on their own and in collaboration with each other,” said Katie. “They succeeded in becoming real scientists for the week, well done everyone.”