Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
July 08 2025 | Central South England | Views: 376
Serendipity School in Southampton, Hampshire is a small, independent special school for girls aged 9 to 19. It provides a therapeutic, trauma-informed education for students with complex needs such as autism, anxiety, and social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) challenges.
The school was delighted to be supported by The STEM Hub as part of Engineering UK’s Big Bang at Schools programme, which aims to inspire young people aged 11–14 to explore the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, and maths.
On 8 July, around 20 SEND students from Yrs 7-10 took part in a range of engaging STEM activities that sparked curiosity, teamwork, and resilience. Working in mixed-age groups, they showed genuine delight in exploring science together. The Virtual Reality marine experience, delivered by the Manta Trust, was a clear highlight. One teacher commented: “The students were so immersed in the underwater world that they seemed to forget they were still in the Hub!”
During the rocket-building activity, students collaborated closely, problem-solving and refining their designs. A teacher said: “Even when things didn’t go to plan, they showed resilience and determination, learning from their mistakes and improving their models.”
The students also engaged in The ZooLab session, which offered a rare opportunity to meet and handle exotic animals. Many students overcame their fears by touching creatures they would normally shy away from, and they left the experience feeling proud and more confident. Another teacher commented: “Watching their faces light up as they interacted with the animals was a truly memorable moment.”
Students also explored bath bomb making, which was a hit as they investigated the chemistry behind it, and a bottle rocket challenge where they showed resilience by refining their designs to improve hang time. In the Crime Scene Investigation forensics session, students examined fingerprints, blood spatter patterns, and made plaster cast shoe prints. One student also took on the spaghetti tower task, testing their engineering skills.
Across all activities, students embraced the challenges with enthusiasm and excitement, eagerly sharing their experiences and newfound knowledge. The day offered learning beyond the classroom, building confidence, curiosity, and a love for STEM.
Images supplied by Serendipity School
