The final week of last term contained two Celebrations of Learning (CoL) from 7 Pioneer and 7 Explorer, and as a school we were delighted with both events.
For those of you who may not have attended a CoL, our expeditions always culminate with a public event where students present their learning to a wider audience. We believe that this brings an element of authenticity to proceedings. Furthermore, our expeditions always have a product, and this represents in some way students’ learning and connect with the wider world.
Such an authentic wider audience also ensures that students step up to the plate in terms of working hard, and working as a Crew as students have to show courage and integrity in being able to articulate their learning to parents and visitors. As a result of this, every single student (regardless of ability or background) was able to stand up and formally address those who came to the CoL.
The Guiding Question (GQ) for Y7’s expedition in STEM was ‘What has chemistry and physics got to do with cooking?’ and was entitled ‘Chefistry‘. The CoL consisted of students explaining their understanding of the GQ by using subject specific language and terminology. Parents were also given an ‘Exit Ticket’ where they too had to answer the Guiding Question. The centrepiece of the CoL revolved around students taking orders for a meal and a team of chefs boiled eggs, prepared toast and a served a drink with ice. Essentially, students were able to use their understanding of Physics and Chemistry to explain how cooking works, and whilst this was a very ambitious CoL, our students pulled it off!!
A special thank you to Mr Smith who led the Chefistry expedition with support from Mr Pearson and Mrs Duffield. Sine FM also deserve a special mention for supporting the students’ recording of the audio in their professional radio station studio. P.S. Check out the final product videos from 7 Explorer and 7 Pioneer here.