Year 7’s Roaring Adventure: Science and History Come Alive!

Our Year 7 students recently embarked on an unforgettable journey to London, immersing themselves in the wonders of the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum. The air buzzed with excitement as they departed from Liverpool Lime St on a Pendolino train (a great example of Science and Engineering), eager to explore the incredible exhibits awaiting them.

Our first stop was at Buckingham Palace and it was clear as soon we arrived that it wasn’t a normal day at the palace. The flags were up, police guards were by the gates, the gates were opening and closing and we saw a very shiny Bently SUV leave the palace. It was clear the King and Queen were home! After a bit of internet research by Miss Paterson it transpired that George Clooney had visited the palace the day before.

At the Science Museum, students were captivated by interactive displays, delving into everything from space exploration to the marvels of engineering. Hands-on activities brought scientific principles to life, sparking curiosity and encouraging a deeper understanding of the world around us. We also took part in a fantastic session called ‘Careers Uncovered’ and a lot of the pupils, and staff, were captivated by the staff from Heathrow Airport. Pupils were given the opportunity to undergo a full body airport scan and they were able to use handheld scanners. Archie Waters enthusiastically took up the challenge of scanning everybody that he could and he was a little disappointed that he couldn’t take one with him.

Pupils also participated in some computer programming to operate a robot arm but the most popular activity was the disassembling and reassembling an airfield ground light (AGL). As the Heathrow staff explained to us, the airport has 22,000 of these lights to help guide planes into landing safely. Once the pupils had reassembled the unit they provided power to the unit to see if it would light up. Thankfully all our pupils managed to complete this successfully!

Next, it was off to the magnificent Natural History Museum, where colossal dinosaur skeletons and fascinating specimens from across the globe awaited. From the towering Blue Whale skeleton to intricate insect displays, students were awestruck by the sheer diversity of life on Earth. Many were particularly enthralled by the earthquake simulator, experiencing the power of natural forces firsthand.

Adding a unique element to their urban adventure, eagle-eyed students also made a game out of spotting London’s iconic red double-decker buses. By the end of the day, they had counted an impressive 21 buses, a testament to their keen observation skills and the vibrant energy of the city!

The trip was a fantastic opportunity for our Year 7s to connect with their learning outside the classroom, fostering a love for science and history in a truly immersive way. It was a day filled with discovery, wonder, and plenty of red buses!