Diary Entry - October

The original STEM club members finished the first topic of the year on the science of a night out where we demonstrated the science of sound and light. This topic culminated in a school gig including live bands and a professional DJ backed by a 20,000 watt sound system.

The primate project kicked off this month with students researching Mandrills and discovering what enrichment is all about. They then had an initial brain-storming session on the types of enrichment and possible devices they could build.

We also set about trying to recruit new members into the club. As the project is cross-curricula based, students from other subjects as well as science were wanted, for example, to help with the design technology aspect of the project. Year 11 and sixth form students were recruited by invitation. New STEM members were recruited by application. The students were asked to design a zoo for Barnard Castle. They had to identify 5 animals that would go in the zoo, design their enclosures and explain why the animals needed this kind of enclosure and why they want to keep these animals. In total the club now numbers 34 pupils, including students from the sixth form, year 11, year 8 and year 7.

We have also recruited new staff. Lynne Sharp (the science department technician) and Andrew Newby (Technology teacher) have both joined the project. Andrew became involved in the project after Katy Jefferson went on maternity leave.

As project leader, I have now drawn up a time line of events highlighting the required tasks for the students in the club and the staff who are running the club to keep us on track and identify the key dates, including trips and press events.

Over the half term holidays we met with Simon and Phil, who took us through the guidelines for filming our videos. We then prepared ourselves for the next two weeks of filming ready for the first video instalment.

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