STEM Club: Tadpoles, Tortoises and Scientific Curiosity!

STEM Club has been full of fascinating discoveries this term as pupils dive into the world of living creatures, observing life cycles, using scientific tools, and meeting some remarkable animals up close.

In the science lab, the children have been closely observing our growing tadpoles, using magnifying lenses to study their changing bodies. The tadpoles have been living in the lab for several weeks, and the children have enjoyed caring for them, feeding them slices of cucumber twice a week and eagerly checking for any signs of transformation. Although we haven’t spotted any froglets just yet, there’s great excitement as everyone watches and waits for the next stage of their development!

This week, STEM Club members have also had the chance to meet a very special visitor: Worzel, our 60-year-old Horsfield’s tortoise. Worzel has quite a story, she was brought over from Afghanistan 43 years ago at a time when wild tortoises were sadly taken from their natural habitats for the pet trade. Thankfully, all tortoises in the UK today are now captively bred, ensuring their conservation and protection.

Worzel is a much-loved character, inquisitive, determined, and with a definite mind of her own! She enjoys lettuce, cucumber, and absolutely adores tomatoes. Pupils have learned about the needs and behaviours of this fascinating reptile, including how she hibernates from late October until the end of March and thrives best in warm, dry weather.

The children have had the chance to stroke and feed Worzel, while learning about responsible animal care, reptile biology, and how different species adapt to their environments.

It’s been a brilliant blend of observation, curiosity, and hands-on learning, just what STEM Club is all about!