Enrichment day at Torbay

Giant snails, fire, robots and exploding nappies – must be an Enrichment Day.

EF Academy Torbay had its first Enrichment day this week and we started with Science and Technology. The aim of these enrichment days is to bring a bit of fun into the academic subjects students study but also to inspire and develop a passion for knowledge and the academic world. Science and technology day introduces students to the practical application of science but it takes science out of the text book and into the lab.

Students rotated around activities in groups with members of our great science department providing activities across the natural sciences. Sean our general science teacher helped groups make their own sherbert and ice cream but they also made lip balm from completely natural ingredients. This was all about showing how natural ingredients make up much of the things we use including medicine and ever day household goods. Bob our chemistry teacher had students combining chemicals together in just the right way to change consistency from gas to liquid and from liquid to solid. Oh, he also exploded nappies.

Helen, another chemist, was all about explosions and students explored the reaction that gasses and chemicals can have including recreating the reaction that takes place in a conbustion engine. In physics

Tricia had students making their own parachutes from straws and black bags and tested the strength by floating eggs so that mistakes had the potential to literally leave egg on their faces. These activities are fun but they are a great way to engage students in science.

But on a more serious note we had leading researchers from Exeter and Plymouth Universities robotics departments who brought demonstration robots and explained how the robots are made and programmed. The research team from Plymouth combine psychology and technology and discussed how the two combine in modern robotics programming. The robot they brought in walked around the room following students instructions and even played football and danced with them.

We also had a team from Dartmoor Zoo who brought a collection of creepy crawlies and snakes from around the world and explained the natural environment they live in and how they have adapted to this environment. This had a big effect on the students with some loving the snakes and spiders but others finding it very hard but they all appreciated how incredible these animals are.

These are just some of the activities that students took part in but the fascination and passion for knowledge and science was clear to see. Students have been inspired to explore and enjoy science and technology in ways that they would not be able to in lessons.