Back in June during STEM Club, students combined science and art to create beautiful flower designs. By carefully using hammers to press fresh flowers and leaves into cotton fabric, they managed to transfer the natural imprints of the plants directly onto the material. This technique relies on the natural pigments found within the plant cells. The students learned how chlorophyll, carotene, and flavonoids, the compounds responsible
for the vibrant greens, oranges, and yellows in nature, can be extracted through pressure to create lasting botanical impressions.
In addition to their artistic botanical experiments, our STEM Club members have achieved a major milestone this term. We are delighted to announce that the group has officially received their Bronze CREST Awards. This prestigious national award was the culmination of weeks of hard work on their research project, which asked the ambitious question: “Can humans live on Mars?”
To answer this, the students thoroughly investigated the practicalities of interplanetary survival. They researched the complex transport systems required to reach the Red Planet, how to grow food in Martian soil, and experimented with various fabrics to determine which materials would best keep astronauts warm in extreme climates. To secure the award, students compiled their extensive findings into a research portfolio and presented it to the CREST judging panel.
We are immensely proud of the dedication, curiosity, and teamwork displayed by everyone involved. Congratulations to all of our STEM Club members on this fantastic achievement!