British STEM Week 2025: Top Science Workshops for Primary Schools
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Jack Roberts
18 December 2024
đź•“ 10 min
British STEM Week is an exciting annual event that celebrates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It provides a fantastic opportunity for primary schools to engage children in STEM learning, sparking their curiosity and nurturing a love for discovery. For 2025, schools across the UK are planning innovative and interactive workshops to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
If you’re looking for the best workshops to enrich your school’s STEM Week activities, this guide highlights some of the most impactful and engaging options. These workshops are designed to bring STEM subjects to life, combining fun, learning, and hands-on experiences that leave a lasting impression on children.
1. Sound Explorers: The Science of Sound Workshop
Sound is an integral part of our everyday lives, yet its science remains a fascinating mystery to many. The Science of Sound workshop unravels this mystery through interactive experiments that captivate young minds. Designed specifically for primary school children, this workshop introduces key concepts such as sound waves, vibrations, pitch, and volume in an engaging and age-appropriate way. Children get to explore how sound travels through different materials, how vibrations create sound, and even how to build their own basic musical instruments. Hands-on activities like using tuning forks to visualise sound waves or experimenting with different objects to create unique sounds make learning interactive and enjoyable. These experiments not only reinforce scientific concepts but also foster creativity and teamwork as children collaborate to solve challenges.
What sets this workshop apart is its alignment with the national curriculum, ensuring it complements classroom learning while adding an exciting twist. The Science of Sound workshop is led by trained facilitators who ensure every child is engaged, safe, and encouraged to ask questions. By the end of the session, children leave with a deeper understanding of sound and a newfound enthusiasm for science.
2. Coding Adventures: Introduction to Programming
As the digital age advances, coding has become a vital skill for the future workforce. The Coding Adventures workshop offers primary school children a chance to dive into the world of programming in a fun and accessible way. This workshop is designed for beginners, using child-friendly tools such as Scratch or Blockly to introduce fundamental coding concepts. Children learn how to create simple animations, games, or interactive stories, sparking their creativity while building essential problem-solving skills. The workshop also covers basic computational thinking, teaching children how to break down problems into smaller steps and use logic to create solutions. Activities are designed to be collaborative, encouraging teamwork as children share ideas and troubleshoot challenges together.
By participating in Coding Adventures, children gain a foundational understanding of programming languages and concepts, empowering them to explore more advanced coding in the future. The workshop’s engaging format and clear instructions ensure that even those with no prior experience feel confident and capable by the end of the session. It’s a fantastic way to introduce children to the possibilities of technology and inspire them to pursue further STEM learning.
3. Eco-Engineers: Building Sustainable Solutions
Environmental awareness is a crucial part of modern STEM education, and the Eco-Engineers workshop provides a hands-on way for children to learn about sustainability. This workshop challenges children to think critically about environmental issues and come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems. From designing wind turbines to creating water filtration systems, the activities encourage creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking. One of the highlights of the workshop is the opportunity for children to build prototypes using recycled materials. For example, they might construct a small wind turbine and test its ability to generate energy or design a model water filter to purify dirty water. These activities demonstrate how engineering and science can be used to tackle global challenges, making the learning experience both relevant and inspiring.
The Eco-Engineers workshop aligns with key curriculum objectives in science and design technology, ensuring it reinforces classroom learning. By participating, children not only gain a better understanding of sustainability but also develop important skills such as problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience. It’s an ideal choice for schools looking to integrate environmental education into their STEM Week activities.
4. Space Explorers: Journey Through the Solar System
Outer space has always been a source of fascination for children, and the Space Explorers workshop takes them on an exciting journey through the solar system. This interactive session combines science, technology, and storytelling to create a memorable learning experience.Children learn about the planets, stars, and other celestial phenomena through hands-on activities and engaging demonstrations. For example, they might create a model of the solar system, explore how gravity works using simple experiments, or even design their own space rover. These activities not only teach scientific concepts but also ignite children’s imaginations as they consider what it would be like to travel to space.
The workshop also includes discussions about the latest advancements in space exploration, such as Mars rovers and the James Webb Space Telescope, helping children connect their learning to real-world scientific achievements. Facilitators encourage questions and curiosity, making the session both educational and inspiring. The Space Explorers workshop is perfect for sparking an interest in astronomy and giving children a sense of wonder about the universe.
5. Chemistry in Action: Fun with Reactions
Chemistry can seem intimidating, but the Chemistry in Action workshop makes it approachable and exciting for primary school children. Through safe and supervised experiments, children explore the fascinating world of chemical reactions. From creating colourful slime to making baking soda volcanoes, the activities are designed to be hands-on, engaging, and memorable. Each experiment is carefully chosen to demonstrate key chemical principles, such as states of matter, energy transfer, and the properties of different substances. For example, children might mix vinegar and baking soda to observe a reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas, learning about chemical changes in the process.
These activities not only teach scientific concepts but also encourage critical thinking and observation skills.
Safety is a top priority during the workshop, with trained facilitators ensuring that all experiments are conducted in a controlled environment. Protective equipment like goggles is provided, and clear instructions are given to ensure children can participate confidently and safely. The Chemistry in Action workshop is a fantastic way to introduce children to the wonders of chemistry while making science fun and accessible.
Conclusion
British STEM Week 2025 is the perfect time to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. By incorporating engaging workshops like the Science of Sound, Coding Adventures, Eco-Engineers, Space Explorers, and Chemistry in Action, primary schools can provide children with an unforgettable learning experience. These workshops combine education, fun, and hands-on activities, making STEM subjects come alive for young learners.
If you’re looking to bring excitement and inspiration to your school’s STEM Week celebrations, consider booking one of these workshops. The Science of Sound offers a range of educational and interactive sessions tailored to primary school children, ensuring an enriching and enjoyable experience. Contact us today to learn more and secure your booking for British STEM Week 2025!
