The STEM Hub organised Science Jamboree and it was hosted at Discovery Park, where more than 750 primary school children attended.

Held for the 8th time at the Sandwich-based science and innovation park, the event brought together leading companies involved in life sciences, space travel, mechanical engineering, renewable energy, food production and rail operators, including companies based at Discovery Park, to spark a love of STEM to the next generation.

Pupils and their teachers attended from 24 schools from across Canterbury, Dover and Thanet. Many STEM Ambassadors supported the event, these STEM professionals volunteer to inspire the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.

Highlights from the day included the Team Moon Space Show, which told how 400,000 people, including engineers, scientists, programmers and technicians, worked together to achieve the Apollo moon landings and mankind’s ‘one giant step’.

The pupils had the chance to launch their own rocket up to a 100ft high, higher than the tallest building at Discovery Park, after working with the team from Nasa Water Rokits who introduced them to the fundamentals of rocketry and satellites.

Dr Hellen Ward, Principal Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, Director of The STEM Hub, added: “This is the 28th time the Science Jamboree has happened, the aim of the event is to introduce young people to the way that STEM touches their daily lives. Over the last three years, the Jamboree was hosted virtually which allowed students and their families from across the United kingdom to engage, but it was brilliant to see so many local pupils undertaking such a wide range of practical STEM activities alongside inspirational role models. The pupils and their teachers feedback was that they wanted to stay longer! Such inspirational STEM experiences is what The STEM Hub is all about. A big thank you to all the companies, STEM Ambassadors and students who ran exceptional workshops, and to Discovery Park for hosting.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park, said: “For many pupils this event marked their first ever visit to a science park and gave them hands-on science experience that brought classroom lessons to life. We are sure the day will prompt a greater curiosity of the world around them and inspire some pupils to find a career in science and technology.”

Pfizer’s team helped pupils investigate whether vegetables can generate electricity or not, how magnetism works, and how to devise tests to identify unlabelled substances. Cummins, highlighted how power generators work and save lives during emergency situations. Resolian, demonstrated how surface tensions play an important role in everyday items such as paints, inks, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals by creating bigger and better bubbles.

Thanks also go to staff at RWE’s London Array offshore wind farm off the Thanet coast, who gave the school children the opportunity to build their own wind turbine. APS, introduced pupils and their teachers to intensive horticulture production that included understanding how pests can be treated without chemicals.

Pupils also found how Network Rail and Southeastern make sure passengers stay safe at railway stations and on their journeys. EKC Group presented the science of floating fluids and how densities vary with the pupils using brightly coloured liquids. Researchers from Canterbury Christ Church University used cutting edge technology to allow pupils to examine how magnetic dust particles can be used to measure air pollution.

One teacher summed up the feelings of many “Where else can our children get such experiences of the real world of science”

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