The Perseverance mission to Mars was the theme explored by students from Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester who took part in a Space Exploration Week, a celebration of the wonders of space.
During the Space Exploration Project ‘Mission to Mars’, the Year 7 students enjoyed a range of fun activities which were an excellent way of engaging them with science and supporting them in understanding our neighbours in the solar system – as well as worlds much further away.
The objective of this is to generate interest in our students through learning about the Perseverance mission to Mars. This will review the Year 7 topic whilst at the same time enhancing writing, comprehension and evaluative skills.
Miss Charlotte Dewhurst, Lead Practitioner of Science, said: “The objective of Space Exploration Week was to stimulate awe and wonder in our students through learning about our neighbours in the solar system and the Perseverance mission to Mars. The week’s inspirational sessions aimed to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.”
“The project not only embeds the Key Stage 3 Universe topic but also covers the practical component of the Earth’s Structure topic, which has strong links to what the students have already learned in Geography this year.”
“We developed a special range of fun and interesting classes to bring space exploration to life for our students,” explained Mr Stephen McMahon, Head of Science. “The classes were designed to build on the students’ existing knowledge, enhance progression and boost student motivation in science. We were able to provide an opportunity to experience some creative, inspiring and cross-curricular approaches to teaching the topic of Space, bringing this topic to life in a very exciting way!”