Pupils at St Paul’s Way Primary welcomed visitors from Queen Mary University of London for an engaging workshop designed to spark curiosity and broaden their understanding of science. The session began with the university students introducing themselves and asking pupils if they knew who Queen Mary was, opening up an exciting conversation about university life.

The workshop aimed to encourage pupils to think differently about science. In the first activity, children selected objects from a box that they believed a scientist would use and explained their reasoning. They were then challenged to choose an item they thought a scientist would not use. In a surprising twist, they discovered that none of the objects were used by scientists, prompting a deeper discussion about what science really is.

The young learners shared thoughtful ideas, with one explaining that there are three types of science: biology, chemistry and physics, while another recognised that science can range from theory to practical experiments. They learned that science is fundamentally about asking questions and being curious about the world. They also explored the scientific process, including researching, experimenting, checking results and refining methods when things do not go to plan.

The class reflected on their hobbies and matched them to different science careers, helping them see how science connects to everyday life. By the end of the workshop, pupils were inspired by the university students’ own journeys and are looking forward to trying out the careers they explored next week.

This visit strongly reflects our value of Aspiration, as it encourages pupils to think ambitiously about their futures and see university and science careers as achievable pathways.