Crosby school ‘go big’ for science week

Go big! This is always the way things go at Great Crosby Catholic Primary School.  The school is a four form entry school so often must work on a larger scale, so when the school’s headteacher, Pat Speed suggested having a science workplace workshop to promote science, the science team knew ‘Go big’ would be the case.  

Pat said: “The purpose was to smash the stereotype that all scientists look like an old white man, in a lab coat with crazy hair.  

“We set about asking for people in our school community who work in the STEM industries to come and volunteer their time to speak to pupils. We were not disappointed and on Monday 27 June Great Crosby held our first ever Science Workplace Workshop, in conjunction with Smashing Stereotypes from British Science Week. The day was jam packed full of people who work in the science industry.   

“The list of occupations was far ranging that joined us on our science spectacular day, they ranged from senior doctor / registrar In emergency medicine at Southport and Ormskirk Emergency Departments, dance teacher musculoskeletal therapist Philip Cutts School of Dance Medicine, Merseyside Police CSI, chemical science AstraZeneca STEM ambassador, Scientific Associate II, Pharmaron Biologics UK, environmental advisor for Antarctica on behalf of New Zealand government, engineer aerospace, systems engineer from BAE Systems and consultant medical microbiologist from Liverpool Clinical Laboratories and finally head of chemistry at Sacred Heart Catholic College.  

“The wonderful part was that we had past pupils, parents, friends and family members of staff making it feel part of our extended community.” 

“As the day was due to be so much fun, we invited our cluster school partner Valewood Primary School to join in the fun. The two schools together enjoyed the day and inspired 130 Year 6 children to have career aspirations in the science industries.” 

Joshua age 11 years, from Valewood Primary School, said: “It has been a fantastic day. It’s not every day you get to meet so many scientists. This definitely smashed stereotypes, Albert Einstein who?”  

Jasmine aged 11 years, from Great Crosby Catholic Primary school, said: “I really found the day exciting. Merseyside CSI was so fascinating; it was great to see a crime scene in our school and to see how they would solve the crime using different types of science. If you are interested in a career in science, I would say follow your dreams they can come true”. 

Megan age 11 years, from Great Crosby Catholic Primary, said: “It was interesting to learn about what goes on in labs and all of the scientific researchers put in. I didn’t realise there were so many varied roles within the world of science. It was great to see so many ‘scientists in action! I really enjoyed the whole day.” 

From explosions, huge purple viruses, crime scenes, pictures from Antarctica, space satellites and broken bones, the day was varied, action packed and filled with fun. Great Crosby are looking forward to planning next year’s science workplace workshop.