On Friday 13th June, Le Rondin proudly participated in the annual Great Science Share for Schools national campaign, an initiative dedicated to encouraging young people to share their scientific investigations and discoveries with new audiences. Championed by The University of Manchester, the Great Science Share aligns perfectly with our ethos of fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills in science. We decided to take part again this year because it provides a real-world context for pupils' learning, moving science beyond the classroom into a collaborative community event.
East Wing embarked on an journey into the world of plants, identifying their parts and functions and exploring the fascinating processes of growth. Their shared activities were a testament to hands-on learning, allowing visitors to engage directly with scientific principles. One of the exhibits hosted an interactive planting station, where children could plant their own seeds in pots of soil. The practical experience was complemented by a display of crafted plant models, and the opportunity for visitors to create their own to further understand each feature of a plant. The Early Years classes also shared their learning about life cycles the natural world around them. They used stories such as The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiny Seed to support their exploration and then shared the accompanying activities at the event.
In South Wing, the focus shifted to the realm of materials and their properties. Students delved into the concepts of reversible and irreversible changes, conducting a series of experiments that illustrated these transformations in action. Visitors were invited to observe and participate in demonstrations such as reversible changes between ice and water and contrasting them with irreversible changes like baking soda and vinegar, or the transformation of ingredients to cook toast or melt chocolate. The children accurately described if it was a reversible or irreversible change and their ability to articulate concepts with clarity showcased their deep engagement with the topic.
West Wing captivated audiences with their exploration of living things and their diverse habitats. Their exhibits offered a look into the natural world, with a particular emphasis on birds and evolutionary adaptations. Activities included an engaging display on bird recognition, where students shared their knowledge of local avian species. A popular station demonstrated the concept of camouflage, challenging visitors to spot hidden "creatures" against various backgrounds, while children explained how animals adapt to their environments for survival. A third activity centred on the evolution of bird beaks, where different tools were used to simulate how various beak shapes are adapted for specific food sources, brilliantly illustrating the principles of natural selection and adaptation within different habitats.
Our specialist bases provided a diverse and equally engaging array of scientific explorations. Students from these bases shared unique and creative activities that showcased their distinct learning journeys. One station explored the physics of "hot and cold," using simple experiments to explore changing temperatures and to use descriptive language. Another base delved into the exploration of apples, including taste tests and exploring floating and sinking by apple bobbing. Another group presented models from their offsite visits around the island and offered a bug hotel making activity. Finally, the sensory experiments station engaged visitors through touch, smell, and sight, demonstrating surprising and delightful results that catered to different learning styles.
The highlight of the event was undoubtedly the enthusiastic participation of parents and guardians, who visited all the activities. Their engagement truly brought the Great Science Share to life. It was lovely to see parents interacting with the children, asking thoughtful questions, and being genuinely impressed by the depth of knowledge on display. The children, in turn, were exceptional ambassadors for their learning. They spoke with remarkable confidence, articulately explaining their experiments, findings, and some of the scientific concepts behind them. Their pride in their work was palpable, radiating from every exhibit. Observing the children's excitement as they shared their discoveries, and their eagerness to learn from and ask questions about the other exhibits, underscored the profound impact of this event. It was a true celebration of scientific curiosity, collaborative learning, and the joy of discovery for our entire school community.