Hands on learning: Year 6 embrace Architecture workshop.

The quad at King’s St Alban’s offered our Year 6 pupils the ideal space to embrace a constructive, hands-on learning ‘Architecture Workshop’ earlier this week. And as the September sun shone, pupils were delighted to welcome Martin from Architecture Workshops. Travelling all the way from his Cambridge base, Martin delivers workshops specifically designed to enhance the curriculum, linking to specific subject areas, for example Design Technology.

Forming small groups of six pupils, our Year 6 cohort were set the challenge of designing and constructing bridge structures. Having provided them with nothing more than dowel rods and elastic bands in order to complete the task, Martin was highly impressed with pupils’ initiative and determination to succeed, coupled with a healthy dose of competition between the groups. The King’s St Alban’s teachers  were on hand alongside Martin to advise and support; however, the pupils’ level of understanding and ability ensured that they were largely independent.

Martin put the completed structures through a rigorous testing process including dropping them and putting the structures under significant pressure before being tugged and twisted. All of the structures withstood the testing (some more than others!), which is encouraging for our future architects. As the Autumn term progresses, Year 6 will be exploring different structures in greater depth in their Design and Technology curriculum.

Mrs Cain, Art and Design Technology teacher, said, “The concentration levels amongst the groups were evident, with plenty of concentrating faces to be seen across the quad. There were also plenty of giggles and laughter as the groups utilised the team building skills they have developed as they have progressed through their time at King’s St Alban’s to complete the task.” Meanwhile, pupils Arthur and Oliver said it was ‘an amazing experience’ and it is clear they are looking forward to putting the skills they have learnt into practice when they return to the classroom next week. We look forward to sharing more hands-on learning projects as the term continues.