Our Outreach programme has been going from strength to strength over the past three years. We have established links with more primary schools and offered a greater number of opportunities for primary school pupils to experience HGS. Our STEM Outreach programme (Science and D&T interactive workshops) have been taking place since the winter term and are set to come to a close in the summer term. The extensive programme has been put together with the aim of introducing more pupils to the grammar school environment. The pupils enjoy workshops and socialising with other students at break and lunch times. They also get to take away some of the items they created in the workshops. Alongside the workshops we also offer 11+ familiarisation sessions to primary schools so that pupils are more aware of the 11+ procedure and the ways in which they may be tested. During the Science Workshop they took part in a variety of stimulating practical activities that included: looking inside cells using powerful binocular microscopes; using Bunsen burners to carry out flame tests of select Alkali and Alkali-Earth metals; making sparklers burn magnesium; safely putting their hands through a flame and understanding the chemistry of fireworks. They were also enthralled by the exploding hydrogen balloons, screaming jelly baby and whoosh bottle fire whirl. Pupils also took part in flying our new ‘hover-craft’ around the laboratory and they enthusiastically enquired about its mechanisms and the science behind it. Following a brief break at the canteen, during which they enjoyed drinks and biscuits, they went for a tour round the school ending with a session in the D&T labs. During this workshop, the pupils designed their own custom pen and pencil holder – which they could take home - using 2D CAD. The laser machine was used to cut their acrylic designs and the line bender machine was used to fold their acrylic design and attach it to a wooden base. The pupils also watched our cutting-edge 3D printer in action and had the opportunity to make a frog. Both staff and pupils seemed to thoroughly enjoy their experience and we look forward to working with the primary schools who have booked to attend the upcoming STEM workshops. THE OUTREACH TEAM: Science – Mr Ahmed, Mr Bansal, Ms Bilkhu & Ms Saleem DT – Ms Hill & Ms Wilkinson REACH OUT Full STEM ahead! In March Year 8 students participated in a workshop focused on developing their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills with a team from HS2. The workshop, delivered by two representatives from High Speed 2 (HS2) as part of their education outreach remit, encouraged students to develop the skills essential for a career as engineers of the future. They began by assessing their own STEM powers with the intent of using the activities of the day to boost their skills and understanding. Taking place in the sixth form common room the day split into parts. Firstly, students in small teams were challenged with designing the railway station of the future. Emphasis was placed not only on the practical needs of a station, but also the needs of a full- spectrum of customers. Some ‘blue sky thinking’ was also required, with students encouraged to consider all manner of hi-tech features, both real and speculative. The latter half of the workshop tasked students with applying their practical engineering skills. After some guidance on different structural concepts, teams were asked to build a structure from paper straws capable of supporting a sack of sand weighing several kilos. Many different approaches were adopted, and the final testing stage was an excellent example of mutual support as teams competed to produce the most effective structure. The day was very successful and enjoyed by all who participated and hopefully inspired students to consider the variety of opportunities available in STEM careers. The staff from HS2 were very complimentary and were impressed by the effort, ideas and behaviour of all students involved. 13