QPHS magazine - Autumn Term 2025 - Magazine - Page 4
FUTURE INNOVATORS
From slime to rockets & prosthetics
STEM Club 2025 got off to a
fantastic start, with Year 7 leading
the way. Supported by QPHS staff,
Sixth Form volunteers and our
STEM ambassador, former RAF
engineer and serial inventor Mr
Todd, our young scientists explored
the exciting world of science,
technology, engineering, and maths
through a series of hands-on
activities.
We kicked things off with some
slimy fun as students created their
own oobleck (a slime made from
corn starch and water). This
sparked lively discussions about
non-Newtonian fluids and why
these substances behave so
strangely, linking to careers in
chemistry and material science.
Students discovered how these
materials are used in food science
(ever wondered why ketchup won9t
pour until you squeeze?) and in
protective gear like D3O body
armour for motorcyclists.
Next came rocket science! Students
designed and raced balloon
rockets, investigating how shape
affects speed. They learned about
forces in action, measured distance
and time and calculated results to
see whose balloon was the fastest!
Our budding engineers then turned
to biomechanics, inspired by
Stephen Davies, a CAD engineer
born without a hand who works with
e-Nable to create free 3D-printed
prosthetics for children. Using
templates, students built a model
hand that could grip objects by
pulling string 8tendons9. They were
fascinated by the similarities to their
own hands and how this knowledge
could lead to improved prosthetic
designs. This activity opened
discussions about the potential of
3D printing to revolutionise
industries by producing
personalised products with minimal
waste.
