Writer: Joe Miles, Computer Science Teacher
As a secondary school Computer Science teacher, I am always looking for exciting and engaging ways to inspire young minds in STEM. Over the past year or so, I have had the opportunity to incorporate Twin Science kits and the Twin Educator Portal into my lessons, both at my own school and at local primary schools within our multi-academy trust. These hands-on learning experiences have been a game-changer in sparking curiosity and enthusiasm for computing, science, and technology.
Bringing STEM to Primary Schools
One of the most rewarding projects was visiting our local primary schools and guiding students through an exciting hands-on lesson—building and programming an electric car using Twin Science kits. This was more than just a technical exercise; it was an opportunity to explore key scientific concepts such as electricity, renewable energy, and sustainability. As we built and coded the cars, the students engaged in discussions about how electric vehicles help reduce our carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment – I was quite impressed with the level of discussion these young students demonstrated! The project wasn’t just about science and computing; it also encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
Beyond the technical skills, these sessions were a fantastic way to inspire younger students and build excitement for secondary school. By engaging with fun and interactive STEM activities, we aimed to spark a lifelong interest in computing and engineering. Seeing their faces light up as their cars successfully moved was truly rewarding. We even had a race at the end of the session!
Twin Science ‘STEM for Sustainability’ Competition
Within my own school, we have embraced Twin Science products in multiple ways. One of the standout moments was entering two teams of Year 7 students into the Twin Science ‘STEM for Sustainability’ competition. This was a great opportunity for students to develop essential skills in coding, teamwork, and environmental awareness. The students worked tirelessly on their projects, demonstrating innovation and problem-solving, and we were thrilled to receive a special mention in the live finals! The experience not only built their confidence but also reinforced the importance of sustainability and technology in shaping the future.
Engaging Year 8 with STEM Challenges
More recently, I have introduced STEM-based learning to my Year 8 class using Twin Science kits and the Student App. The structured lessons and interactive challenges provided a fantastic way to engage students in problem-solving and computational thinking, although I think the content and delivery of videos and interactive exercises on the app was slightly pitched too young for them – nonetheless, they enjoyed it! I’m keen to continue to explore this with them and hoping that one day Twin may develop some more secondary school focussed learning materials to accompany the STEM kits.
Looking Ahead: More Lessons, More Inspiration
These experiences have shown me just how powerful hands-on STEM learning can be. The Twin Science kits have not only enhanced my students’ understanding of key concepts but have also ignited their enthusiasm for technology and sustainability. I am eager to continue using these resources with more students and am already planning my next round of primary school visits. The journey with Twin Science so far has been incredibly exciting, and I can’t wait to see what exciting projects we will tackle next!
