British Science Week this year had the theme "Innovating for the future". As a nod to this, our Key Stage 3 students in Year 7 and 8 will have the opportunity over the next two weeks to be "Climate Superheroes" and participate in "Farmvention", an exciting national STEM competition run by NFU Education and aimed at children aged 5-14. The challenge is all about the problems that climate change creates for British farmers and how they are fighting it, becoming "Climate Superheroes" in the process.
Four themed inspiration hubs are full of investigations for students to complete at school or home. These are:
- Sustainable food
- Technology
- Renewable energy
- Soil & plant health
Over the coming weeks, students will complete a series of experiments in their biology, chemistry and physics lessons to get them thinking about the challenge.
In Biology, Year 7 students will look at sustainable food, investigating how plants can be grown in difficult conditions, and Year 8 students will focus on soil and plant health, particularly how sand can be turned into healthy soil.
In Chemistry, Year 7 students will tackle technology, including researching the best material for a polytunnel, whilst Year 8 will look at renewable energy, investigating straw as a biofuel.
In Physics, it will be Year 7's turn to research renewable energy, looking at whether the number or size of blades on a wind turbine affects how much energy the turbine produces; Year 8 will take technology and decide on the best shape for a drone.
The aim of these experiments is to inspire students to create an invention, innovation or idea to help British farmers continue to care for the environment. Submissions to the competition might be videos, pictures, advertisements or pitches, presentations or photographs of models and prototypes.
Students can enter the competition individually or as part of a school team. There is a host of prizes for winning schools, with winners having the opportunity to present their ideas at a prestigious event at the House of Parliament. The top prize is £1000 for the school to spend on STEM or outdoor learning equipment! All entrants will become certified "farmventors" and receive a reward pack including a certificate and mini prize. Entries close on 31 May 2021.