Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
Go to Canterbury Christ CHurch University's website
January 15 2026 | | Views: 20
On 15th January, around 60 Year 8 students from Herne Bay High School and Folkestone School for Girls joined forces for some Big Bang STEM fun at Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), supported by the School of Science, Psychology, Arts and Humanities, Computing, Engineering and Sport and the STEM Hub.
The event began with an introduction to engineering, highlighting how engineering appears in everyday contexts, from hairdressers to sports tracks.
The students then participated in three hands-on workshops and concluded the day with a tour of the university’s STEM building. These amazing workshops included:
The Science of Sport: How STEM Shapes Performance and Health – Students explored how STEM subjects are applied in sport and exercise to improve performance and health. They examined how the body functions during physical activity, how performance is measured, and how technology and data are used by sport and exercise scientists. The session also highlighted links between STEM subjects, careers, and school choices.
How Do Woodlice Respond to Their Surroundings? – Pupils conducted experiments using choice chambers to observe how woodlice reacted to light, dark, dry, or moist conditions. The activity introduced students to behavioural studies and how scientists investigate animal responses to environmental changes.
Engineering Overview – Students engaged in interactive engineering activities, including exploring materials with a Scanning Electron Microscope, testing materials with a tensile machine, and observing demonstrations with a 3D scanner and laser cutter. The workshop emphasised hands-on problem solving, scientific observation, and the investigative nature of engineering.
All sessions were fully led by academic and technical staff, providing an engaging learning environment. The day provided students with practical experience of STEM in action and demonstrated how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are applied in real-world contexts.
