STEM Polar Explorers - Expedition starts at St James

This term at St James, our students will embark on an Antarctic Expedition.  The Polar Explorers Programme, funded by STEM Learning in association with British Antarctic Survey and NERC environmental science and research groups, allows children to build on their understanding of the Polar Regions. 

Today, our Yr6 & Yr5 children used their engineering skills to build and programme Lego exploration vehicles - navigating icebergs in their launch vehicle, and then adapting them to tackle a number of marine- and land-based challenges that they could  encounter when on expedition.  These included launching Boaty Mcboatface from the RSS Sir David Attenborough and rescuing arctic explorers trapped by polar bears.

Over the coming sessions, whilst utilising their maths and scientific knowledge, the children will discover all the areas to consider when planning an Antarctic Expedition; engineering, climate change, animals, adaptation and food chains, exploration and the oceans.

It proved a great start, with some great teamwork, perseverance and only a few icebergs hit!! Next week Y2,3 and 4 will be building robots!