The Connection

The Connection places science, engineering and technology firmly in context by exploring the lives, achievements and legacies of individuals whose inventions and discoveries have affected all our lives! A highly engaging, thought provoking and informative whole-school programme.

Introduction

The Connection can accommodate the whole of up to a two-form entry school in a single day, compromising …

An interactive assembly, Connections and Causality – showing how the Stone Age discovery of ways of making and manipulating fire led to a whole series of scientific “moments” across the ages, culminating in the projected missions to send humans to Mars!

Workshops (one per year group), looking at the work of a particular scientist/technologist/engineer – and the connections between their work and everyday life. There is a deliberate and conscious focus on diversity – and clear connections, too, to science strands that each year group will be exploring at some point in the year!

Every school booking The Connection will also receive a link to a package of downloadable follow-up resources.

Year Groups

EYFS – Y6
P1-P7
Senior Infants – 6th Class

CurriculumScience
Pupil Numbers

Whole school!

Duration

One Day

Space

School Hall

EYFS/P1

Exploring the World

Elijah McCoy, who changed the railways for ever, making possible the long journeys that make the world today a little smaller!

Year 1/P2

Materials

Lyda Newman, who patented the first modern-day hairbrush by moving away from animal fibres and towards purpose-centred approaches.

Year 2/P3

Living Things and their Habitats

Charles Henry Turner, and his work on ways in which termite colonies respond individually and collectively to changes in their environments.

Year 3/P4

Forces

Sarah Goode, whose understanding of the ways in which different forces act was behind her invention of the world’s first fold-up bed!

Year 4/P5

Animals, including Humans

Marie Curie, the double-Nobel winner whose work with radioactivity expanded our knowledge and understanding of the structure of the human body.

Year 5/P6

Space

Katherine Johnson, whose groundbreaking work leading a team of NASA computer programmers allowed the Apollo missions to land humans on the moon.

Year 6/P7

Circulatory System

Charles Richard Drew, whose early attempts to study at medical school were thwarted by racist authorities – but who went on to save millions of loves by revolutionising how we collect, store, transport and use blood products.

Workshop FAQs

What is the format of the day?

The day starts with a whole-school assembly. We will work with you to plan a timetable for the workshops, to suit the number of classes you would like to include – and around the specific timings of your school day. 

A typical timetable looks like this:

09.00 – 09.20: Whole-school assembly

09.20 – 9.55: Year 1 stay in the hall for their workshop …

9.55 – 10.30: Year 2 come to the hall for their workshop …

10.30 – 11.05: Year 3 come to the hall for their workshop …

11.05 – 11.30: One Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …

11.30 – 11.55: The other Reception class have a visit, in their own setting …

LUNCH

1.00 – 1.40: Year 4 come to the hall for their workshop …

1.40 – 2.20: Year 5 come to the hall for their workshop …

2.20 – 3.00: Year 6 come to the hall for their workshop.

3.00 – 3.15: Closing assembly where findings are shared and the outcome revealed.

How many pupils can take part?

The Connection can accommodate up-to 60 pupils per workshop – that’s the whole of a two-form entry school in just one day!

Are there any technical requirements?

Each working space needs to be equipped with laptop, screen or projector, so pupils can view the supporting PowerPoint throughout.

Where will the workshops take place?

These workshops require the use of your school hall. 

Is The Connection available as a Teaching Resource?

Yes! you can download the The Connection teaching resource pack and deliver your own whole-school Science day! download from ascreativesconnect.com.

Are there any other whole school science days?

Yes, you can also enjoy a whole school experience with Time for Science, The Regeneration GenerationWhat a Wonderful World  or Science Skills! Or, build your own whole school, Big Science Day.

Workshop

The Science of Change!

The Science of Change gives children the opportunity to explore pivotal people and moments in science.

Workshop

Innovation and Beyond

An exciting and engaging way to explore Seven Innovations That Have Changed the World – and some lesser sung heroes of innovation.