In celebration of British Science Week, Year 7 students took part in a Morse code workshop in their Physics lessons, learning how to signal a coded message to each other  using a simple circuit.

Meanwhile, Year 8 students took part in an exciting half-day event called The Space Race — and what a journey it was! Taken off timetable, students were thrown into the thrilling world of STEM through a series of hands-on engineering challenges. Working in teams, they were tasked with designing and constructing a Mars lander, building a functioning electricity tower, and creating a mobile bridge strong enough to withstand the heavy weight of space vehicles.

With limited time and resources, teams had to plan carefully, budget wisely, and negotiate with ‘suppliers’ to buy materials. Success relied not only on creativity and problem-solving, but also on strong teamwork, effective communication, and a sharp attention to detail.

It was fantastic to see each student fully immersed in the activities, applying science and design principles in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. Laughter, excitement, and the occasional bit of friendly rivalry filled the hall as bridges were tested, landers dropped, and electricity flowed.

By the end of the session, students proudly presented their creations. Many said it opened their eyes to just how engaging and dynamic careers in STEM can be. As one student put it, ‘I didn’t realise science could be this fun!’

Who knows — maybe one day a member of this year’s cohort will be the first to set foot on Mars. Until then, The Space Race has certainly launched some big dreams!