Wyvern House STEM lab hosts snails and robots Wyvern unveiled a new Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) laboratory this year, sparking the imaginations of boys. The laboratory is a large learning space and includes a kitchen and chemistry section. Numerous storage areas hold resources. There is even a growing area of robots and drones, which is developing as technology evolves. What does Wyvern want to accomplish with the new STEM laboratory? Firstly, we are providing a practical laboratory- type of environment where students can conduct experiments and simulations in a controlled environment. Secondly, we plan to connect students to “real world” STEM challenges whilst providing the space and resources to allow ideas to flourish and be developed to completion. Toby Torrible with Fredrick Smart looking on, investigating which materials are better STEM learning requires critical thinking, insulators, with cork as one of the three trials engaging and relevant learning collaboration. Teachers are their role “In 2H, we love going to the STEM room. experiences, and perseverance. The new models, collaborating with colleagues. We have found it fascinating to look at STEM room allows students to choose Team teaching allows different practices Minibeasts under the magnifying equipment and materials relevant to to manifest in the classroom. We can glasses.” –Ms Sara Hastie, Year 2 Teacher their own self-developed investigations. separate our students to allow some to “I love the STEM room because it has A strong STEM education is vital for consolidate their knowledge and skills, lots of science materials and has living future generations because future jobs while others learn more on the subject. animals.” –Callum Lau (Year 3) will require advanced problem solving But the real advantage of team teaching “The STEM room is a safe, fun, exciting skills, innovative and creative thinking, is that it gives students access to two place to be.” –Muhammad Tehfe (Year 3) and digital skills. Future generations visions, two teaching methods, two need to learn how to think critically and distinct personalities. Two teachers “I love that the STEM room has a flexibly in order to adapt to this rapidly make it possible to better meet the different appearance to the whole of changing world. individual needs of students. Wyvern.” – Rome Caldwell (Year 5) All class teachers from Year 2 to Year 6 What do the teachers and students say? “I love the brand new STEM room because attend STEM with their classes. The STEM “I can see the enthusiasm in the boys’ the excitement grows inside everyone teacher and class teacher work closely eyes as they enter the room. Team when we get to do amazing hands-on together. Every day, students in our teaching has been fun—there aremore experiments.” –Lucas Veloz (Year 5) classes are asked to work as a team. opportunities to work closely withthe “It is great that two teachers teach us Team teaching allows the students to boys in a challenging environment.” so you get more feedback.” – Daniel witness and experience real –Miss Ciara Harding, Year 6 Teacher Carter (Year 5) “I think the new STEM room is amazing, as there are many different and exciting ways to learn.” –Connor Shields (Year5) “The STEM room is a really useful area, with lots of resources and space. Thumbs up to whoever designed it!” –James Hardy (Year 5) “The STEM room is a room for excitement with its tanks of snails and tadpoles, and it is also a great room for learning.” –Fionn Dugan (Year 5) “The STEM room is full of questions and answers. It’s also unique, in a good way, to other classrooms.” –Oscar Shaw (Year 5) William Richardson conducting a self-designed investigation into which materials are Ms Lindsay Bosch better insulators STEM teacher, Wyvern House 38| NEWS AUTUMN 2018| OPPORTUNITY