Education | Posted on October 21st, 2024 | return to news
Corfe Mullen pupils conduct experiments in mobile science lab
Pupils from Years 5, 6 and 7 at Lockyer’s Middle School took part in science lessons in Merck’s mobile Curiosity Cube.
Pupils at a Corfe Mullen school have been encouraged to look towards sustainability when it comes to their fashion choices.
Children from Years 5, 6 and 7 at Lockyer’s Middle School took part in the science lessons in the Curiosity Cube, a mobile lab made by the science and technology company, Merck.
They were invited to create a wind turbine to power a T-shirt factory, to use a microscope to look at natural and synthetic fibres and to make a wristband out of recycled fibres.
The Cube travels around Europe from its home base in Germany to schools and science centres to spark the curiosity of children, aged eight to 13, in important topical science issues.
Volunteer teams from Merck, which has an office in Poole, spent two days working with pupils at Lockyer’s Middle School, which meant the children got the chance to meet ‘real life’ scientists and ask them about careers in STEM.
Finley in Year 7 said: “I loved all the experiments, especially making the wristband from recycled yarn. Having something to take home has helped me to remember that old clothes can be recycled to help the planet.”
A Year 6 pupil said: “I loved looking at my school tie under the microscope. The synthetic fibres looked like building blocks.”
Gillian Snaith, the science lead at Lockyer’s Middle School, which is part of Initio Learning Trust, said: “There was a wonderful sense of excitement in school when the children saw the Curiosity Cube in the car park.
“The children loved all the experiments and learnt so much from the team of Merck volunteers about sustainable fashion and having ‘real scientists’ in school to work with the children has helped them think about future careers in STEM.”
Antonia Dufek, headteacher at Lockyer’s Middle School, said: “It was a great pleasure to host the Curiosity Cube at our school and I was very proud to see the children engaging with the scientific experiments and asking searching questions of the volunteers.
“As part of the Intitio Learning Trust’s Student Charter, we are committed to giving all our children engaging, hands-on experiences from real-life that will help them to pursue ambitious and diverse careers, education and training.”
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