Year 5 Girls’ Inter-School STEM Olympiad’

69 girls from 10 different schools across East Anglia joined us for an inspiring day of STEM challenges here at Old Buckenham Hall School on Monday 11th November.

Teams of Year 5 girls had to use logical thinking, problem solving, accuracy and their knowledge of the STEM subjects to complete a variety of challenging tasks.

The science challenge was set in a police station, analysing and evaluating a set of evidence, including chromatography. The Maths Challenge tested the children’s logic, spatial awareness and teamwork with volume puzzles and activities. For the engineering challenge, the girls had to apply their knowledge of forces to design and build a wind powered car. The final session was an ICT workshop in which the girls had the chance to use coding software, Scratch.

Aims

To create a fun, educational day for girls. 

To welcome staff and students in from local schools and offer opportunities and resources which they may not have access to at their own schools.

To continue building relationships with local primary schools and foster links with other independent schools. 

Background

Our Head of Science and Headmaster identified that there were no girl specific STEM days on offer in the local area. This day has been running successfully for the last 5 years with lovely emails and letters from visiting staff and children each year. 

Resources

We use a number of areas in the school; science labs, The Ives' Studio, The Britten Hall and some classrooms. A number of science, maths and ICT staff are involved and work together to make each year original and exciting. 

There is no cost to the visiting schools.

Pupil Involvement

Year 5 girls.

Frequency

The event has taken place each November.