Primary Science Challenge winners announced

This year’s Primary Science Challenge has seen local students create some amazing micro-habitats to reflect the 2021 theme of ‘biodiversity’. Regional winners have now been announced with both displaying great imagination and creativity.

As part of AWE’s school outreach work and in partnership with Education Business Partnership (EBP) West Berkshire and EBP South, biodiversity workshops were delivered to students in Years 5 and 6 at primary schools across Berkshire and Hampshire. Workshop content was based on the theme of biodiversity to tie in with World Environment Day during June.

The Challenge saw students having to design and build microhabitats, which are a great way of attracting different types of wildlife to areas. Student’s entries were then submitted to the AWE STEM Ambassador judges as part of the competition against other schools.

The judges sifted through some great entries, but the final winners were William Tucker of Burghclere Primary School, for Hampshire. The judge’s gave special mention to William’s good use of materials and consideration over different creatures’ needs. The Berkshire winners were the Year 5 group of students from St. Nicholas C of E Junior School in Newbury for creating a micro-habitat that encourages an impressive array of wildlife.

Prizes were awarded to both schools of an annual school subscription to National Geographic Kids magazine, along with a butterfly lore to encourage wildlife into school grounds that students can study.

Michelle Smith, CEO of Education Business Partnership said, ‘We are delighted that AWE has continued their inspirational work with local schools, during a very challenging academic year. The materials and workshops make a real difference for students and teachers. We’ve seen great uptake of the adapted programme from schools and great student and teacher feedback.”

As one of the largest STEM employers in the local area, AWE’s outreach work supports schools across West Berkshire and North Hampshire to help inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and technology specialists.

Pictures shows:

• William Tucker of Burghclere Primary School, with his winning bug hotel and competition prize
• Year 5 group from St. Nicholas C of E Junior School in Newbury being presented with their prize by Michelle Smith, CEO of Education Business Partnership