National Science Week at St Joseph’s was a fantastic celebration of curiosity, discovery and hands-on learning. Pupils of all ages took part in a variety of activities designed to bring science to life in exciting and engaging ways.
The week began with a whole-school assembly exploring the theme of “Change and Adapt.” From floating smoke rings to musical glasses, pupils saw science in action. A special highlight was a demonstration with a dog, showing how repeated experiments help animals learn and adapt—a fascinating introduction to the psychology of behaviour.
A real highlight of the week was the visit from One World Animals, where pupils from Prep to Senior, explored how different species change and adapt to their environments. They had the chance to get up close with an incredible range of creatures, including ferrets, tarantulas, bearded dragons, mice and even cockroaches! There were plenty of amazed (and slightly nervous) faces as pupils discovered the fascinating ways these animals survive and thrive in the wild.
Throughout the week, pupils explored artificial intelligence in a series of workshops. Prep pupils looked at AI’s connection to art, while older students discussed its impact on society. We were delighted to welcome guest speakers, including Dr de Silva, Dr Rafael Pina and Ms Illeperuma who led discussions on the future of social media and the internet. Over lunch, a lively debate took place on whether parents should ban YouTube!
Another unforgettable experience came when one of our science labs was transformed into a tropical jungle. Dr Pellenc and her team took pupils on a wild adventure, watching hummingbirds hover like tiny acrobats, tasting crunchy bugs, seeing the world through the eyes of an insect and even meeting Giant African Land Snails.
Hands-on experiments were a key part of the week, with pupils designing catapults, dissecting fish and building rocket cars. Year 12 and 13 students had an exciting day at BayLab, working with DNA and mastering gel electrophoresis. Meanwhile, our STEM Leaders shared their enthusiasm for science by running workshops at Our Lady’s Prep School.
To end the week, Prep and Senior pupils relaxed with popcorn while watching scientific film clips. A brilliant way to round off a busy and inspiring few days. We look forward to doing it all again next year!
