Year 6 'Take Off' With Space Day!

On Tuesday 4th November 2008 the Year 6 children were sent on a 'Mission to Mars'. Along with Neil Armstrong and the team from STEMNET Essex, the children were involved in imagining what life might be like on the planet Mars.



The children launched into the day with an introduction to the red planet. When they had been fully briefed on the expected conditions, they began building the habitation domes which would be essential to their survival. Using only rolled paper tubes and metal nuts and bolts the children carefully constructed the hexagonal structures, developing their team and design technology skills.



At other points during the morning the novice astronauts visited STEMNET's 'space shuttle' where they made important decisions about the kinds of provisions they would take with them on their journey.



After lunch, the children thought about the possible life forms they might encounter whilst on their mission. Despite imagining many strange and unusual creatures, they were undeterred and prepared to make their rockets.



Working in pairs, the children followed instructions to make the most aerodynamic rocket which were launched, on the school field, later in the afternoon. Although no-one's rocket managed to travel as far as Mars, many travelled to great heights and caused much excitement amongst the children!



The children all agreed that they had a fun and exciting day and did not even realise they had involved in science revision!