On Monday 19th October, all of our KS3 students watched an entertaining and engaging performance all about STEM entitled 'The Material World.'
Materials Science and Engineering is the study of all substances — from the metals in a bridge to the plastic in a phone case — and the creation of new ones with specific properties.
During the performance by Altru Drama, students learnt all about many things connected to material science including:
- Atoms and structure: Everything is made of tiny particles called atoms. How these atoms are put together determines the material's properties.
- Polymers (super chains): Imagine tiny links of chain that join up. These chains are called polymers! Plastics and rubber are polymers and engineers make them for things like phone cases and stretchy clothes.
- Composites and alloys (super mixes): Sometimes mixing two materials makes a totally new, stronger one! This is called a composite or an alloy. For example, mixing metal with carbon makes steel, which is super strong and can be used for building bridges and cars.
- Careers: Materials Science is a massive field that touches almost every industry, from medicine and aerospace to fashion and sustainability. Students were asked to consider whether they possessed some of the skills and qualities required to successfully work in this important and varied sector.
Some of the feedback given by Year 7 students after the performance was:
"I liked the way science was made into a play- each character had their own role and I enjoyed learning about science through drama."
"The audience participation was good and they made science fun."