Private School News

Engineering science at THE MARIST SCHOOL

Last Friday Year 8 students at the Marist Senior School, Sunninghill experienced a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) day. This was facilitated by the charity Smallpeice and it was aimed at introducing engineering to women as a future career option. The girls embraced the tasks and challenges with enthusiasm and designed highly commendable models of working wind turbines.

Louise Duncan, course leader from the charity set the girls construction challenges which required problem solving skills and lateral thinking. Lynn Trainor, Science teacher said “I was extremely impressed by how diligently the girls worked together to address the assigned tasks.” Throughout the day the girls were competing to design and market an operational wind turbine. Groups were assessed for aesthetics, efficiency (ie highest voltage), cost, stability and teamwork. Most teams successfully completed all elements of the task and some students were refining design details towards the end of the afternoon

Mr Mark McCloskey, Headteacher of the Marist remarked that “Science, technology and maths are high priority, corner-stone subjects in the Marist curriculum. The introduction on an engineering component with team work and thinking skills was a refreshing initiative which was well received by all.”

Kayla Spitzer, a year 13 student in the Marist has been offered an unconditional offer at Villanova University in America to study Engineering. She selected this course because it combines Maths and Science and gives her so much scope for her future professional career development.

Head of Science at the Senior School, Ann Royston, was delighted by the response of the girls during the day and commented, “It was a thoroughly enjoyable day. It was very hands on learning for the girls, and it introduced them to the practical applications of science in our world.”

Further to this highly successful day, the Marist School has been given the opportunity to offer six free places on a residential engineering course at Portsmouth University in July. Competition for places amongst the girls is likely to be very high.