The Wisbech Academy ignites curiosity during British Science Week
Pupils at The Wisbech Academy recently celebrated British Science Week with a packed programme of experiments, inspiring talks, and interactive activities.
Part of the Brooke Weston Trust, the academy is a STEM specialist school, making the week the perfect opportunity for pupils to explore new ideas and see how science connects to everyday life.
The week followed the national theme “Curiosity – What’s Your Question?” and began with a whole‑school assembly exploring how curiosity drives scientific discovery. Pupils discussed famous scientists, including Jan Ingenhousz and Isaac Newton, and learned how today’s researchers build on their work. The assembly also linked to the school’s core virtue of openness, reminding pupils that being open to new perspectives is key to progress.
Experiments and investigations filled the days that followed. In Science Club, pupils watched the crowd‑pleasing elephant’s toothpaste experiment, followed by a school‑wide “forensic” challenge where young scientists used chromatography, fibre analysis, pollen samples and fingerprints to solve a science‑themed mystery.
Guest speaker Dr Lee Yu, from the University of Cambridge’s Early Cancer Institute, gave pupils invaluable insight into his work using DNA and genetic technology to detect prostate cancer at its earliest stages. The talk encouraged pupils to link classroom learning with real‑world medical breakthroughs and touched on the importance of empathy in scientific careers.
To close the week, pupils enjoyed one of the school’s first live cross‑campus science demonstrations, featuring experiments not usually possible in lessons. Highlights included a heart dissection, biology investigations into energy drinks, colourful pH indicator reactions, and physics demonstrations. The dramatic whoosh bottle experiment ended the week, quite literally, with a bang.
Reflecting on the week, the school’s Head of Science, Antonia Tan said: “Science Week is incredibly important to us as a STEM school. This year, it truly felt as though we were doing something every single day to bring pupils together and ignite that flame of curiosity. I was particularly impressed by the thoughtful, insightful follow‑up questions pupils asked in their science lessons - it showed just how much the week inspired them.”
Dr Rachel Lawrence‑Byron, Principal of The Wisbech Academy, said: “I’m so proud of how our pupils and staff embraced British Science Week. The energy and enthusiasm across the school were fantastic, and it was wonderful to see them living our value of ‘Thrive with Ambition’ through curiosity, teamwork and creativity. We’re already looking forward to building on this year’s success and inspiring even more young scientists next time.”
For more information about The Wisbech Academy, visit: Welcome to Wisbech Academy
