Senior School pupils enjoy day of exploration and innovation

This week, students from Norwich High School for Girls took part in a bespoke Mars Challenge Day, where they had the opportunity to explore a range of tasks and activities related to the upcoming NASA Perseverance landing on Mars.

The aim of the day was to give all Senior School and Sixth Form students the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time off timetable and away from their screens, whilst also giving them the chance to explore, to be creative and to develop greater intellectual curiosity.

Director of Sixth Form, Mrs Hazel Packer, and Assistant Head Enrichment at Norwich High School, Mr Owain Hall both led on the project, with subject specialist and resident astronomy expert support from Physics Technician Mr Jones.

In the lead up to the event Mr Hall said:

“As we approach the end of a busy half term, we are very aware of how the increase in screen time during this period of Home Learning has been an additional challenge for pupils to adapt to. With the forthcoming Mars Perseverance Rover landing due to take place during half term, a STEM-themed day seemed to be the perfect subject for a day of off-timetable. off-screen education.

“We are very proud of all of the work by pupils and teachers to maintain the academic momentum with lessons and enrichment opportunities so far this term, but we also felt that a day predominantly away from screens with a different focal point should provide a timely and varied opportunity for pupils to be creative and ambitious.”

The day got off to a flying start with an exciting launch assembly delivered by Mrs Packer and Mr Jones. Pupils then delved into a series of exciting tasks and activities for children of all ages which were broadly split into two categories: Creative and Physical. Some of the challenges included:

• building a Mars Lander complete with an ‘egg-stronaut’, and then testing it’s robustness from a high point
• performing an original piece of themed music or dance choreography with a Mars theme
• producing beautiful artwork or some truly original bakes and cakes all inspired by the red planet. Bakes ranged from aliens and solar systems, to whole planet-scapes.

Pupils were also encouraged to plan and begin a series of walks or climbs equivalent to the diameter of the Jezero Crater (28 miles) – the landing site for the Mars Perseverance Rover. Whilst outside, some pupils used this time to build space-themed snow scenes to make the most of the recent winter weather.

Other highlights included a cosmic themed fashion line consisting of a rocket dress, a Saturn inspired hat, a Mars pom-pom jacket, and even a virtual play written using planets as its characters!

Mr Hall concluded: “We hope that pupils have been inspired by the Perseverance mission. Imaginations have been sparked and we will all be following the progress of the Perseverance as it makes its approach to Mars on Thursday 18th February 2021.”

Miss Sefton said “I have been blown away by the range of ways that the pupils have approached the challenge day and have enjoyed looking through all the submissions. Our days have become focused on being online so it was great for everyone to have the opportunity to take time away from the screen and be creative in other ways”

The whole day was run as a School Company competition, with points received for all submissions as well as special points for the winners in each category. The final Company results will be revealed next half term.

All in all it was aMARSvellous day with aMARSing contributions from across the school.