Engaging rail industry lessons put Rugby students on right track

Students at Avon Valley School have taken part in engaging science lessons.

Year 9 students pupils enjoyed a hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) day focusing on the rail industry.

As part of the full day’s activities students took part in a range of tasks that included designing a railway station, and experimenting with pulleys and gears to enable a train model to move efficiently - this was then tested on a model track. The students were also tasked with delivering a presentation about the findings from their activities.

The engaging STEM day was made possible through The Heart of England Community Rail Partnership who have partnered with the Smallpeice Trust to deliver an exciting science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) programme to secondary school students across Warwickshire, Coventry and Solihull.

Funded by CrossCountry Trains, the five year STEM project aims to provide students in year 9 to year 11 with STEM days, visits to offsite rail locations and rail careers events.

Andrew Mushing, science teacher and STEM coordinator, said: “The day gave our students the opportunity to put what they learn in the classroom into action within a real life scenario. This gives our students a real insight into where a range of science based subjects can take them in the future, and how these subjects apply to everyday life.”

Headteacher, Alison Davies, said: “It is great to hear that this is the start of a programme of STEM activities and that we’ll be working with the Smallpeice Trust and The Heart of England Community Rail Partnership more in the future.”