Fairy tales don’t just make good bedtime reading, it appears they make great science
experiments too!
Students at Harriers Academy, Banbury, recently enjoyed a week of dissecting popular
stories from a scientific angle to find solutions to problems.
For example, how could Little Red Riding Hood safely send a message to grandma? Would it be possible for Rapunzel to leave the tower using eggs and what material would make the best raft for the Billy Goats in The Three Billy Goats Gruff?
Every year group in the school took part from nursery through to Year 6 and entries were
showcased at the school’s annual Science Fair which this year coincided with British Science
Week 2020.
Author Jules Pottle, a specialist primary science teacher and teacher trainer with Storytelling
Schools was on the judging panel alongside respected science writer Rebecca Mileham.
The winners were groups from Year 5 Pelicans and Year 3 Kingfishers class.
The week of science-based activities included a QR code trail and a visit from students at nearby Futures Institute, which is part of the Aspirations Academies Trust, to talk to the students about their recent trip to NASA.
Science Lead at Harriers, Maxine Roberts said: ‘’The children had a fabulous time. There was a real
buzz in the school. The experiments help build resilience and make the children think. Both
Jules and Rebecca were very complimentary about the children’s investigations, their ability
to answer the questions asked and their enthusiasm!”
‘’An event like this helps to make the students much more aware of what’s going on around
them in the world.’’
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