Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
June 22 2026 | | Views: 17
Great Oaks Small School is a small independent school for neurodiverse students aged 11–19. It offers a bespoke and creative curriculum rooted in kindness, curiosity and self-belief, aiming to nurture growth and encourage students to become confident, capable individuals who can make a positive contribution to society.
Students took part in a full day of engaging STEM activities designed to bring science, engineering and practical applications to life through hands-on learning and interactive demonstrations.
The day began with a fascinating Liquid Nitrogen Show, delivered by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Students explored the effects of extreme cold at -196°C, observing dramatic demonstrations including freezing materials and seeing how temperature affects matter in a visually striking and memorable way.
Students then took part in Bridge Builders: Exploring Wartime Engineering, delivered by the Royal Engineers Museum. Using a Second World War Bailey bridge kit, they investigated how military engineers constructed temporary bridges before working collaboratively to build and test their own structures. The activity developed teamwork, problem-solving and an understanding of engineering principles such as stability and load distribution.
The programme continued with Growing Smart: The Science Behind Commercial Tomato Production, delivered by APS Produce. This workshop introduced students to large-scale agricultural science, exploring how tomato crops are carefully managed using light, temperature, water and carbon dioxide, alongside sustainable practices such as biological pest control and natural pollination.
The day concluded with Milk Swirl, delivered by Pfizer, which explored the science of surface tension using milk, dye and washing-up liquid. Students saw how scientific principles can be demonstrated through simple but powerful experiments.
The school would like to extend its thanks to the contributing organisations for their support and delivery of the sessions. Their enthusiasm and expertise helped bring STEM to life in an engaging and accessible way, inspiring students and broadening their understanding of real-world applications and future career pathways.
*Images courtesy of The STEM Hub
