)
Bedales Prep STEAM Week was an incredible journey into the interconnected worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths.
These are all subjects that shape not only our learning, but the way we understand everyday life. Our week aligned with British Science Week, whose theme “Curiosity: What’s your question?” inspired everything we explored. Students were encouraged to ask the questions that matter most to them… and then take the lead in finding the answers.
At its heart, STEAM Week is about the big skills: curiosity, logic, patience, collaboration, resilience and passion amongst others. Students put all of these into practice as they experimented, problem‑solved and created across the curriculum.
Brain boosting, hands‑on activities every day
From creating cell-themed tiles in Ceramics to designing functional periscopes in Design, pupils tackled a whole host of cross curricular challenges. They explored the Industrial Revolution in History, tested lifting mechanisms in Drama, engineered balloon kebabs in Science and asked ‘Curious Questions’ in Maths.
Lunchtime and after school activities included discovering what makes the best paper aeroplane, solving problems in Minecraft, asking big questions in Debating, creating beautiful botanical illustrations inspired by Maria Sybilla Merian in Art, cryptic crosswords in 3i. Thinking about sustainability, students worked on building the next Greenpower Goblin car, made new creations in an offcuts challenge, and even recycling HDPE plastic bottle tops into new useable sheet material in the Design Barn. Block 2s created 3D functional nature inspired lighting forms in aeroply.
In the playground the recycling initiative 'Waste to Wonder' got underway as part of the BeeP (Bedales Eco Project) and books that ask and answer questions were discussed. Things even extended into prep, with STEAM themed challenges set in both Spanish and Science!
Outdoor Work took things to a whole new level.
The classic cross‑curricular challenges included the boiled‑egg test, the egg‑drop engineering challenge, and mini‑raft building that brought buoyancy into play. In Dance, students transformed themselves into living, moving STEAM machines. And in Wellbeing lessons students asked and then discussed 'Curious Questions' on a range of topics of their choice throughout the week.
Year 2 impressed with their precise isometric drawings and their understanding of the laws of reflection as part of their periscope designs.
Group 1 and Year 2 also took part in a 'Create a Character' workshop with Ryco (6.2 Design Don) in the Design Barn, as part of his A-Level Product Design research, to help inform his new project, and hope to see the outcome of their creations and this insightful process for Ryco.
Meanwhile, linked in with their Greenpower Goblin electric racing car project in Design, and studying forces in Science, the Group 3s enjoyed a fascinating trip to Brooklands Museum.
Discovering automotive innovations, exploring the Aircraft Factory, learning about the evolution of the motor car, creating, testing and refining propeller powered racing machines - and even stepping inside Concorde! They shared much of what they had learnt, and some fascinating facts with the rest of the school in our opening assembly on Monday.
Brooklands staff commented, “Super questions from the children - they kept me on my toes. It was great to see how interested they were.” High praise indeed.
Inspiring stories were shared throughout
To coincide with International Women’s Day, pupils learned about Margaret Allen, an Old Bedalian whose pioneering career as a racing driver continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.
And a special mention must go to Hugo in Block 2, who rounded off the week with a superb assembly on magnetism. His confidence and genuine fascination for the topic captivated the whole school - a brilliant example of intellectual curiosity.
The School was buzzing with questions
From the opening assembly, to the final experiments, the Prep was alive with ideas, prototypes and investigations. STEAM Week reminded us that curiosity is where discovery begins - and that asking a single question can lead us anywhere.
Find out more about the curriculum at Bedales Prep HERE.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)