BRITISH science week ran between 10th and 19th March, with events across the UK celebrating science, engineering, technology and maths.

Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin, the Welsh medium school in Caldicot, has joined people all over the UK exploring the week’s theme of change every afternoon. The children have been looking at energy, advances in treating cancer, writing code for computers, chemistry and environmental change.

The school has been well supported by the community with speakers from Cancer Research UK, Gwent Wildlife Trust and a local technical journalist, who have brought their expertise to life in action packed sessions that have introduced the children to real people involved in a range of science disciplines and given them a chance to learn about cutting edge issues. 

The week has seen the youngest students making balloon-powered cars, investigating camouflage, making potato and lemon batteries, coding a short animation and exploring reactions. The older students have made a racing car computer game, learnt about genes and the future of medicines, debated the impact of new roads through important habitat, the water cycle and sent film canister rockets 10m into the sky!

A spokesperson for the school said: “It was fantastic to see the children in upper juniors, leading the experiments along side volunteering parents and inspiring the younger children from reception class upwards with their enthusiasm.”

The children have also had their say: “I loved the way that it varied from experiments like “coke and mentos” to learning about the water cycle and wildlife,” said one child.

Another added: “We tried out new experiments that has inspired me to try them at home!”

“I think it was a great idea to learn about science and have fun with experiments and being careful, I enjoyed learning about DNA,” said another pupil.

Jamie Hallett, headteacher, added “The week has been incredible. The whole school community has worked together to bring the children a wide range of experiences and enhance their learning and horizons. We are so proud of the way the children engaged and especially all the children involved in leading and documenting the week”.