This year’s STEM Week transformed the College into a lively hub of experimentation, creativity and scientific exploration. From thought-provoking lectures to hands-on challenges and interactive showcases, pupils across all year groups embraced a packed programme of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Hands-On Challenges Across the Sciences
Throughout the week, students took part in a range of activities that tested problem-solving skills, scientific reasoning and teamwork:
- Inter-School Safe Cracking Challenge
Fresh from securing a top ten finish in the national competition, the Lower Sixth showcased their meticulously engineered safes in Central Hall. Students queued up throughout lunchtime to test their logic — and patience — trying to crack the ingenious mechanisms.
- The Chemistry Electricity Challenge
Budding chemists competed to see who could generate the highest electrical output using nothing more than fruit. The experiment blended creativity with scientific precision, proving that even everyday items can become tools for discovery.
- Year 7 Physics Bridge-Building Competition
Creativity met engineering as Year 7 pupils constructed paper bridges designed to hold as many pennies as possible. The tension rose with each added coin, providing dramatic lessons in structural integrity, material strength and teamwork.
- University Challenge
The ABT was transformed into the set of Eltham’s very own University Challenge, with competitors racing to buzz in first and answer STEM-focused questions. Each correct starter earned teams the chance to answer two follow-up questions. In the Sixth Form competition, Chalmers secured a decisive victory. The Year 10–11 round, however, delivered a nail-biting finish, with Livingstone mounting a dramatic last-minute comeback to claim the win.
On Monday, we were delighted to welcome Dr Lulsegged, who delivered a compelling talk entitled “The Ancestral Reset: Why We’re Fatigued, Foggy-headed, Fragile, Frigid, Fraught and Fat — And How to Fix It.” Drawing on evolutionary biology and modern medical research, he explored how today’s lifestyle habits can disrupt our metabolic health and how lessons from our ancestors may hold the key to restoring balance.
Throughout lunchtime, Central Hall hosted showcases from across the departments, from DT students’ custom-built Scalextric cars, to Geology and Maths offering hands-on activities and challenges for pupils to try. A pop-up Library also appeared on Monday.
Thursday brought the ever-popular Zoolab sessions, where students met a royal python, a giant African land snail, a gerbil, a scorpion and even a tree frog. Many had the opportunity to handle some of the animals, with several bravely holding the royal python — supported by plenty of encouragement and enthusiasm from their classmates. Pupils were eager to learn more, asking lots of questions and listening intently to the knowledgeable animal handler.
STEM Week proved to be an engaging and memorable celebration of curiosity and discovery. Allowing students the chance to explore science in exciting and unexpected ways, it was a week full of learning, enthusiasm and fun, highlighting the creativity and curiosity that lie at the heart of STEM.
