We are excited to announce that our STEM Surprise Festive Countdown is back, filled with twenty-four joyful and engaging STEM activities!

This online activitry has now ended.

Join us daily to virtually open and explore an exciting STEM activity, not only will you be able to access that day’s new activity, you’ll also be able to take part in activities from the previous days throughout the month.

These amazing activities have been created by our wonderful STEM Ambassadors, businesses and organisations from the STEM Community. They are suitable for primary and secondary students, who will be inspired to take on challenges and download resources that all relate to STEM subjects.

In addition, we have a selection of free live talks taking place in December. See below for more details.

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Primary Live Talk: Factory of the Future

Monday 5 December | 1.30-2.30pm | Microsoft Teams Live
A fun and free science show experience like no other!
Primary aged pupils are invited to join presenters Matt the Engineer and Nao the Robot to help build an amazing FACTORY OF THE FUTURE! Virtual and interactive 45-minute science show that will inspire and excite young audiences. The children will help create a net zero factory using the latest green technologies, learning about STEM and engineering in an entertaining and age-appropriate way.

At the end of the live show there will be an opportunity to ask Matt and Nao questions.

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The above talk will also be taking place on Friday 9 December | 9.30-10.30am

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Primary Live Talk: The History of Flight and How Aircraft Fly

Wednesday 7 December | 1.30-2.15pm | Microsoft Teams Live
To celebrate International Civil Aviation Day and reinforce worldwide awareness of civil aviation, STEM Ambassador Darryl, a volunteer at Brooklands Museum, will be delivering a live talk about how an aircraft works and the history of flying. He will explain how aircraft has evolved from the past, moving into the future. Participants will hear about aviators whose accomplishments propelled aviation forward. You will see a short video of what it was like onboard the iconic Concorde, the first supersonic passenger-carrying commercial aircraft.

To participate in this live talk:

• Each student will need an A4 sheet of paper.
• Teachers/Parents/Carers will need one deflated balloon and a ruler.
• Teachers/Parents/Carers need to think of a local landmark that is situated 20-25 miles away from their school/home that the students would know.

There will be time to ask Darryl questions at the end of his talk. There is a take-away activity that can be done in the classroom or at home afterwards - a worksheet will be provided.

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Primary Live Assembly Talk: Festive Solar System Decorations

Tuesday 13 December | 9.30-10.30am | Microsoft Teams Live
Join Hannah on a live journey through the solar system. She is a graduate engineer at RAL Space, the UK’s national space laboratory, and she will talk through the planets of our solar system and show you how to make your own space-themed festive decorations. You will also have the chance to ask Hannah questions about working on space missions. To find out more about RAL Space, take a look inside their labs on A Virtual Tour

Resources required:

• The choice of materials is flexible, participants are encouraged to be creative and use/recycle household/craft materials.
• Coloured pens/pencils/crayons/felt tips/paints. We recommend ‘PlayColor Paint Sticks’ which are quick drying.
• Either: polystyrene ball – at least one per person or A4 paper/newspaper/magazine pages
• To stand up your planets: sticks such as craft sticks, lollipop sticks, coffee stirrers, or cake pop sticks
• Or to hang your planets: string
• Optional decoration such as pipe cleaners, streamers, cotton wool, beads