Science challenges inspire pupils to explore eco-innovations
Star Academies is challenging pupils to think innovatively about the environment and how science and technology could help to improve the quality of life for future generations. Star has launched three national Star Innovator Challenges for pupils at its primary and secondary schools to complete at home.
Pupils in Reception and Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) will investigate ecosystems though the Detective Glow Worm challenge. Pupils will discover the importance of ecosystems by exploring the interactions between organisms and using this information to create a mini bug world, model or story about the role of bugs and their importance to nature.
In the Wildlife Wonderland challenge, Key Stage 2 pupils (Years 3 to 6) will explore the life that exists at the bottom of our gardens and green spaces, and discover the importance of our diverse ecosystem in supporting life on the planet. Pupils will apply their learning by creating a mini ecosystem, bug hotel or bug model to demonstrate their learning.
Secondary school pupils will participate in the Emission Eraser project, which challenges them to investigate the cost of human impact on the planet and within their local community. Pupils will create a strategy that considers real world environmental issues and investigate how science and technology can improve the quality of life for future generations.
The links below provide further details about the challenges and the fantastic science prizes that will be awarded to the winning entries.
Primary: Reception & Key Stage 1
Click here to download the leaflet.
Primary: Key Stage 2
Click here to download the leaflet.
Secondary: Key Stage 3 & Key Stage 4
Click here to download the leaflet.
How to enter
Parents will be sent a letter from their child’s school with details about how to enter the competition. All entries must be submitted by midday on Wednesday 24th March. Please ensure that the submission includes your child’s name, year group and, if applicable, the name of their class.
Your child’s school will review all entries and shortlist two pieces of work in each category to be submitted into the national final, where their work will be judged alongside pupils from other Star schools across the country. We have enlisted the help of star judge Dr Richard Barker to assess pupils’ work in the national final. Dr Barker is an eminent astrobiologist who works with NASA exploring methods of cultivating plants in space. The top three entries in each category will all be awarded a prize. Good luck to all of our budding detectives, explorers and eco-warriors!
Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 8th Mar 2021 | Posted In: Latest News