We have explored space missions, met snakes, (who were well looked after), welcomed 150 primary school pupils up for Colfox’s Space Show, made terrariums, observed dissection demonstrations and more!

Ms Lowri David, Lead Practitioner of STEM at the Sir John Colfox Academy, who led the schools Science Weeks events, said: “Students have enjoyed a wide range of interactive experiences, celebrating discovery, exploration, and scientific thinking. Throughout the weeks, students from year 7-10 have fully embraced the spirit of curiosity—whether questioning the possibility of life beyond Earth, exploring the complexities of animal anatomy, or investigating the science behind ecosystems. The message was clear: curiosity is at the heart of all scientific progress.

“We had a lot of fun during our Science Weeks, and our students have been inspired to ask questions, think critically, and explore the unknown. We want to foster a love of science in our students to help empower the next generation of explorers, researchers, and innovators.”

The week began with a series of assemblies for all year groups, focusing on curiosity as the driving force behind scientific discovery and innovation. Students were encouraged to see curiosity not just as asking “why,” but as the spark that pushes humanity to explore everything from the inner workings of a cell to the far reaches of space.

A highlight of the week was Colfox’s primary outreach event, “Is There Life Out There?”, which welcomed 150 pupils from Bridport Primary School (Years 3–6). The visiting students took part in a creative session exploring the possibility of extraterrestrial life, inspired by The Clangers, sparking imagination and enthusiasm among the young learners.

Students in Years 7, 8, and 9 also took part in space sessions exploring NASA’s Artemis mission and the next generation of lunar travel. Led by Ms Lowri David and Dr Carrie-anne Sharma, these sessions formed part of the school’s National Space Project, where students examined humanity’s plans to return to the Moon and considered what future lunar colonies might look like. By connecting classroom learning to real-world space exploration, students were encouraged to see themselves as future pioneers and innovators.

Lunchtime “Pop-Up” Science events added an extra layer of excitement throughout the week. A dramatic dry ice demonstration showcased the process of sublimation and the properties of carbon dioxide, while a series of dissection activities allowed students to explore mammalian and marine biology first hand. These included a sheep’s head dissection, examining the heart and lungs, as well as a shark dissection, offering a fascinating insight into marine anatomy.

Students also had the opportunity to meet live snakes, which were carefully handled and well looked after, giving them a close-up understanding of reptile biology. Meanwhile, hands-on creativity was encouraged through terrarium-making sessions, where students built their own miniature, self-sustaining ecosystems.

“I hadn’t really thought about getting a job to do with working in space, but now I really want to look into what I could be in the space world.” Year 10

“Just wow, I loved it all – I can’t wait to watch Artemis II launch and when we land on the Moon again” Year 7

“The dogfish dissection was soooo cool but stinky. I’ve touched a sheep brain and eyes, talked about sharks and made my own terrarium – I want it to be Science week all the time”. Year 7