LAB STEAM

The last two modules have been an exciting time for STEAM at Leigh Academy Blackheath. Our STEAM club has proven to be a real success (with many students attending Tuesdays after school), and the STEM Leadership course starting after much anticipation. As such, learners at LAB have experienced creative problem solving (specifically in relation to Design and Engineering principles); they have been involved in challenges that encourage personal confidence; and have also developed their team building skills.

All STEAM extra curricular opportunities offered to our students relate to real world applications and by manipulating materials can encourage effective problem solving techniques. Here we are testing out aerodynamic forms in paper.

Not only did we test out flight principles but also looked at structures by using ‘Knex’: a building toy used to make bridges and moving items. Our learners worked freely in groups or independently to create items of their choice

STEAM Club & Ambassadors

The STEAM club students have also had the opportunity to work with the Arts extra curricular club in the research and development (R&D) phase of a project. The project's theme is nature-based sculpture, to be installed at the grounds of LAB. Our STEAM club ambassadors worked together digitally to complete research which could inform the project. Sergi R and Max O from Y7 then presented the findings to said Y9 students. Max and Sergi demonstrated such integrity, responsibility and ambition in doing so, all key LAB values. A special thanks also to Elena K, Hareesh R and Joseph G for invaluable contributions to the research.

STEAM Leaders - Research for a bug house

Module 5 & 6

In modules 5 & 6, we hope to work on real world applications such as gaining clients for activities as well as developing knowledge in Computer Aided Design and Manufacture.

STEM Leadership Programmes

At the start of Module 3, students at LAB were invited to apply to take part in the STEM leadership programme. Those who applied went through a stringent interview process and a lucky few were selected. The STEM Leaders now meet every Wednesday during lunch time and after school to complete lessons that develop their understanding of leadership in the context of STEM. Aspects of the course include Communication, Self Belief, Teamwork, Self Management and Problem Solving as well as knowing more about STEM based activities. Those who complete the course will plan and deliver a STEM activity to a group and will gain a a Level 1 qualification!

Students on the STEM Leaders course are: Aleksandra B, Juliana D, Eleanor D, Regina G, Cindy G, Alexander H, Anneka-Leigh H, Elijah I, Anna J, Dorith L, Paige L, Luna M, Mark M, Bolu O, Isla R, Miles R, Albira S, Henry W, Ava R.

The new STEM Leaders aided a whole school activity, British Science Week (BSW) at LAB, which has helped to develop their confidence in delivery of a project The dedication, enthusiasm and determination of the STEM leaders shone through and this helped to make critical connections with the BSW. theme throughout the subjects delivering the topics.

STEAM Careers Link

In January, we invited some interesting speakers into the classroom through our google meet classroom facilities to talk with us about their creative careers and answer questions from our students.

Then we were lucky enough to speak with Rachel Marshall about her business ‘JoRae’ Swimming Caps (where the idea for the business came from, and managing it alongside another, separate career). What an amazing, inspirational multi-tasker! www.jorae.co.uk

Finally, we spoke with Nick Chapman, a Graphics Designer working for ‘The Economist’, about his journey into the media industry, his influences and favourite projects worked on: one being a cricket bat! So varied and inspiring!

British Science Week and STEAM

Cross Curricular Activities - DT, Science & Maths

From the 14th to 18th March, we celebrated British Science Week across DT, Science and Maths. The theme was of Growth this year, and so students in DT experienced the engineering principles underpinning growing skyscrapers, mould growth on bread and different stages of decomposing bread. In Maths, students learnt the correct methods for creation of scatter graphs, which were then used in Science when students experienced seed dispersion experiments.