Marble Run Challenge

Sixth Formers have been inspiring Junior School pupils to develop their problem-solving, creativity and critical-thinking skills as part of our new termly STEAM challenge.

The initiative, launched by our Science Co-ordinator, Miss Campbell, alongside two of our Sixth Form Scientists, aims to develop the girls’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics. The regular challenges encourage girls – from Reception to Year 6 – to experiment, to take risks and to innovate. The very first task was to create their own marble run: to design and build a track that keeps a marble rolling for at least 5 to 10 seconds.

Girls of all ages responded to the challenge with great enthusiasm, producing an impressive array of tubes, helter skelters, rollercoasters and even a motorised ski lift. Over 100 creative entries – mostly using recycled materials – were judged by Miss Campbell and Michaela and Alicia, two of our A Level Science students on the Sixth Form Head Girl Team.

The Sixth Formers commented: “We were amazed by the calibre of the designs; the girls have shown incredible ingenuity and impressive feats of engineering – we applaud everyone for their efforts.”  

All pupils who participated were awarded a certificate, with special awards of excellence made to the following girls for their outstanding creativity: Izzy (Reception); Cara (Reception); Grace (Year 1); Maisie (Year 1); Alicia (Year 1); Isabella (Year 2); Chloe (Year 2); Amala (Year 3); Ellie (Year 3); Zoe (Year 3); Emily (Year 3); Mila (Year 4)  Constance (Year 4); Daria (Year 5) and Anna (Year 5) as well as sisters Amelie (Year 2) and Evie (Year 5); Darcey (Year 5) and Piper (Year 3); Ava-Juliana (Year 6) and Faye-Savannah (Year 3); Mia (Year 5) and Evelyn (Year 2) for their collaborative work.