Science | Newminster Middle School

Big Bang Fair North East 2015

29th July 2015Mrs K Shutler

Twenty Year 7 pupils have been attending the Science Big Bang Fair Club at Newminster.

The aim of this club is to encourage pupils to develop their scientific curiosity and to find solutions to problems in the same way as professional scientists do. Pupils have developed their own science projects and have each achieved a CREST Bronze Award.

On Tuesday 7 July the pupils presented their projects to judges at the North East’s regional Big Bang Fair at Northumbria University. Pupils also explored the fair’s industry stands and had the opportunity to explore careers in the STEM subjects.

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Belgium Euro Space Tour 2015

21st July 2015Mrs K Shutler

Between 29 June and 3 July, 33 Year 7 pupils attended the Belgium Euro Space Tour 2015. They visited the Mini-Europe, Atomium and Oceade Wave Complex sites in Brussels, took part in a Eurospace Centre ‘Astronaut for the Day’ activity and visited Blankenberge Sea life Centre and the Coca-Cola Visitors Centre.

Pupils enjoyed experiencing an overseas residential experience and spending time with friends at Newminster and Chantry whilst on the trip. Pupils stayed at a hostel in the centre of Brussels, sharing a room with between 3 and 5 other pupils.

During their visit to the Eurospace Centre, pupils tried out various practical tasks which recreated the experiences of a trainee Astronaut. They also constructed rockets which were launched 100m into the air!

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Trip to the Great North East Space Expo

26th June 2015Mrs K Shutler

Thirty Year 7 pupils attended the Great North East Space Expo event at the Discovery Museum.

The pupils enjoyed an extremely interesting and inspiring visit including a presentation by Dr Lewis Dartnell, a UK Space Agency research fellow and Astrobiologist based at the University of Leicester.

Dr Dartnell described his fascinating studies into how life, and signs of its existence, might survive in our solar system. There

There was also a range of trade stands and workshop activities delivered by professionals to help pupils understand what it takes to have a career in the incredibly exciting area of space exploration and discovery.

National Women in Engineering Day

24th June 2015Mrs K Shutler

Sixty-three Year 7 girls were involved in a day dedicated to raising the profile and celebrating the achievements of women in engineering.

The launch of the day included a speech from Shiva Dowlatshahi from the Women’s Engineering Society. Shiva talked about engineering in our day to day lives as well as her own job. Dr Roger Vaugn, a Director at The Three Rivers Learning Trust also attended the launch event.

Here is a flavour of the challenges of the day….

Product analysis challenge
Archimedes screw activity
Building towers and bridges
Egg drop!
Routes into Engineering workshop from Professor Rob Davidson, Institute of mechanical
Engineering, Newcastle University

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CREST Award and Big Bang Fair

2nd June 2015Mrs K Shutler

Twenty Year 7 Newminster pupils have been awarded their Bronze CREST Awards following their successful completion of their science projects.

They presented their work at a joint Newminster and Chantry fair to family, friends, staff and guest judges.

The judges feedback was extremely positive and they recommended that all pupils present their projects at the regional Big Bang Fair at Northumbria University in July.

Well done to our Junior Scientists!

British Science Week

17th March 2015Mrs K Shutler

Friday 13 March saw the beginning of British Science Week and we had lots of activities happening for all of the students.

Each year group had different activities – from electronics workshops, creep crawly visitors, cake decorating and lots more.

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Cafe Scientifique Workshop

12th January 2015Mrs K Shutler

Year 8 pupils were invited to a ‘Cafe Scientifique’ workshop where they were lucky to hear from Steve Locks, a Medical Physicist, who works in the Radiotherapy Department at the Freeman Hospital’s Northern Centre for Cancer Care.

Steve explained how his knowledge of Physics is crucial when testing and calibrating machines, developing treatment plans and ensuring safety for staff and patients. He also detailed what type of skills and knowledge are needed to progress into such an interesting and rewarding career.

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