As part of the Mathematics Curriculum, Year 8 travelled to the STEM discovery Centre, where they delved into the intriguing world of Mathematics and Science in action.

Among the many exciting activities, one which the students enjoyed was the blood pattern analysis – a captivating application of mathematics and science in the realm of forensic science. The students were shown how this helped in solving crimes and weapons used. This is a prime example of how mathematics plays an essential role in the real world, providing crucial clues and what may have happened at a crime scene. Luckily the students were all very brave in handling fake blood samples. By using a pipette they were able to drop a small blood sample at various heights to see what each splatter resulted in. 

The sling shot rockets activity was designed to ignite the students’ curiosity and passion for mathematics and science by challenging them to create their own rockets. This practical and interactive experiment required them to apply mathematical concepts in a fun and engaging manner.

Before launching their rockets towards the ‘target’ on the wall, in this case, the distant planet Mars, the students were tasked with designing and constructing their rockets from various materials and adhering to a set of instructions. The students were very good at realising the need to make minor adjustments to their design for their rockets to fly at great distances.

As the groups got themselves ready for the launch, the element of competition added an extra layer of excitement and motivation. Each group aimed to achieve a perfect balance of mathematical precision and engineering to propel their rocket as close to Mars as possible. 

The students were also privileged to listen to a fascinating talk about the Mars Rovers and the upcoming mission to the Red Planet in 2028. This enlightening session not only provided valuable insights into the creation and operation of Mars Rovers, but also kindled the students’ curiosity about Mars itself, including why it appears red, its terrain, and the enigmatic dust clouds that shroud the planet. At the viewing gallery, students were able to see the Mars Yard test area where they saw the prototype rovers which engineers were testing as part of the ExoMars project. 

This experience not only fostered a greater appreciation for mathematics, but also opened doors to potential careers in fields like forensic science and engineering.

Olivia Deverill (Year 8) said: “I loved that it wasn’t too far away and that I learnt how big the splats are from different weapons and from height. We had to use our collaboration skills and I thought it was an interesting experience. We then went into this amazing room called the sensory room and there was a lightning ball that electrocutes people when you touch them, it was very cool! There were also lots of science related games like a crane  and a projector that projects into the sand to play games like volcano eruption, butterfly valley of monsters, out of this world, outer space, dragons and so much more! Overall, I’m glad I went even though I had to pay, it was worth it!”