Swindon Academy Launches ULT Science Challenge

Thursday 25^th February saw eleven Academies come together at Swindon Academy to take on a Science Challenge day.

Each Academy was invited to enter a team of students from Years 7 – 8 to be part of the Science Challenge.  Students were then presented with the challenge to create a musical instrument that could respond to the noise made by one or more of four aliens.  Students had to design the instrument using their scientific knowledge of sound production and bring the instrument to the challenge day. 

During the day the students received an inspiring talk from Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE, a prominent space scientist who is keen to get children interested in space exploration.  Her enthusiasm for the space exploration was infectious and students excitedly set to work on the challenges that were set them.

Although only a small number of students took part in the actual challenge, the day involved all the students at the Academy as many attended presentations on Cosmic Chemistry, Propulsion and were even able to visit a real space rocket called SkyBolt which will be launched into orbit next year. 

Students really enjoyed their day and students from as young as year 1 were inspired by the rocket and the presentation given as to how it flies, drawing and colouring in rockets of their own to continue the theme of the day. 

The students involved in the challenge had to present their invention to a board of judges and create a poster display to describe scientifically how their instrument worked.  Following a long debate where special commendations were given to Shoreham Academy and Accrington Academy, with Midhurst Rother College winning the first Science Challenge cup.