Spark Lab ⚡

An exciting, dynamic and interactive environment that allows students to explore coding, robotics, physics, 3D printing, VR & more. Run by @iMcCowen_Edu

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

BOOM! 💥

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

Another really enjoyable @SparkLab_HJS session today, teaching some physics to @HowardJuniorSch Year 5 pupils using @RubeGoldberg Machines to make it fun! Also, I got to demo this little cracker! 💥

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

We got a great deal @HowardJuniorSch on some 1Kg PLA filament… but it wouldn’t fit in the caddy for our @TiertimeCorp printer.

A little bit of creative thinking and some @VEXRobotics pieces have sorted that out and we’re off printing science resources!

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

They’re really starting to come together now. I enjoyed being able to test some of them out and give feedback.

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

Great resources and exciting lessons @HowardJuniorSch We’re all about problem solving here in the Spark Lab, so we can’t let a global pandemic get in the way of our #STEM lessons now, can we? 😉

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

All set up in @SparkLab_HJS for an afternoon of remote #STEM learning, looking at Archimedes’ Principle (yr3) and @RubeGoldberg Machines (yr5). @allaboutstem @STEMLearningUK @STEMAmbassadors

[UEA @uniofeastanglia]

Today is International Women in Engineering Day, a day which highlights the career prospects for women in engineering and raises the profile of women in the industry. ⚙️🏗️📐

Ilaria tells us about her experience of studying Engineering at UEA.

#INWED21

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

The aftermath of a remote @SparkLab_HJS lesson on Archimedes’ Principle… Can’t wait to see how pupils use this new knowledge over the next few weeks to design, build, test and improve @Sphero powered boats to transport my pirate treasure across the paddling pool seas… 🏴‍☠️

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

More exciting still, both solved it, but in different ways. It came down to a tiebreaker, using efficiency to decide a winner. In the end there was just a single block of code in it! Massively enjoyed delivering this remote @SparkLab_HJS lesson using @AppleEDU technology

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

@6Rowling @InspireSuite @HowardJuniorSch A great and useful skill to have, whether you need to cut some skirting board, or code a robot to navigate obstacles. It’s important to teach these skills, even as we move ever more towards technology being embedded in all aspects of life.

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

I enjoyed it too! It was great to see what our pupils produced when they were told to be creative under a time limit, but with no rules on what was a good or bad idea. Some great Divergent Thinking on display. Interesting that one pupil arrived at the same outcome as me, too.

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

Observing via Zoom, I was fortunate enough to see the ‘Eureka moment’ on this pupil’s face as he figured out a better way to solve the challenge in the dying seconds of the allowed time.

Always interesting to see the thought processes of our pupils play out in practical tasks.

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

If you’re a pupil @HowardJuniorSch you’ll have taken part in remote @SparkLab_HJS lessons recently; where I pretended to be a robot & swung a Shot Put at my own face.

If you were a fly on the wall, it might have looked a little odd...
@ty_goddard @allaboutstem @WonderWorkshop

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

A simple, clever design that uses your own weight as a counterbalance... The Spark Lab approves!

Tip: You can add more weight to the back using toy tubs, weight plates, rucksacks etc. if you don’t weigh very much to increase stability.

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

If you’re struggling to find a place to work, these little ‘desks’ are great. I purchased one for my daughter last week&it’s really helped. Better than the floor, more portable than the dinner table&easier to store than a dedicated desk. @HowardJuniorSch https://t.co/lebUMs9wJe

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

We are proudly supporting: @NorwichCityCSF @EastAngliAirAmb @CharityTBF @NorfolkWT @PBHospice

Please help spread the word.

@Howard4C_ @InspireSuite @HowardJuniorSch

[Lee McCowen  ADE @iMcCowen_Edu]

Mr Curl, Mr Kirwan and I will be taking on a 200 mile cycling/running challenge next summer, aiming to raise money for some wonderful Norfolk charities.

We would be grateful for any and all support, please take a look at our page. Thank you.

https://t.co/9vjKuK6ma7

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

P.S. other brands of bicarbonate of soda are available 😉

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

A new experiment for you today, using kitchen basics.

Pour cold water in a bowl, add a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda. What happens?

Now repeat the experiment, this time using hot water. What is different? Why?

@HowardJuniorSch

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

Repeat the experiment using cold lemon juice or vinegar (be sure to put down a towel, sheet or paper etc.) What happens now? Why?

Finally, repeat the experiment using cold lemon juice or vinegar,with a squirt of washing up liquid stirred in. What happens? Why?

@HowardJuniorSch

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

Another optical illusion for you today. See if you think you can work out how this one works. @HowardJuniorSch

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

A nice and easy one for you today; a bit of science, a pinch of MFL, a sprinkle of Media Studies and a dusting of creative thinking.

Here goes...

What would you call a re-make of the classic film Tron?

(Hint: There would be no charge to see this movie).

@HowardJuniorSch

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

What are the variables that impact your flight experiment?
How could we eradicate as many as possible?
What happens if you use some of the additional materials other than paper?
Can you steer your plane?
Post your flight videos, your recorded distances and your thoughts here.

[Spark Lab ⚡ @SparkLab_HJS]

A fun way to get back in to working scientifically today, the challenge is to make the best paper plane you can. You may use paper, scissors, sellotape, paperclips, straws, coins... pretty much anything you can get your hands on! @HowardJuniorSch