AWE inspires the next generation

Graduates from AWE recently encouraged more than 400 pupils from Berkshire and Hampshire to enter this year’s AWE Primary Science Challenge.

The annual challenge is run in partnership with the educational charities’ Educational Business Partnership West Berkshire (EBPWB) and the Basingstoke Consortium.

It is run as a graduate project and involves a series of one hour workshops across 14 primary schools in the Berkshire and Hampshire areas, to promote science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

With more AWE graduates involved than ever this year, the 14-strong group decided to split into two independent teams to cover as many primary schools as possible in Berkshire and Hampshire.

Pupils took part in experiments included making slime, creating dry ice bubbles, construction of a wind turbine and building a bridge with craft materials strong enough for a remote-control car.

AWE scientist Rachel Wilson, from team Berkshire said: “It’s very rewarding to see the children thrilled by the interactive classroom sessions and so keen to develop their own ideas.”

From the student evaluations, the scientists’ visit had a big impact on the students. Both the teachers and students commented that they valued the opportunity not just to watch and learn about science, but also to get hands-on and to do their own experiments, guided by the scientists.

All participating schools brought along a team to the annual competition days. Berkshire’s winner was Calcot Junior School while Burghclere Primary School took first prize for Hampshire’s entry.

Students described the event as: “absolutely amazing, thrilling and fascinating” and “extremely fun! I loved it! It was also really interesting listening to other groups and their experiments”.