Pupils at Sir William Burrough Primary were excited to welcome visitors from Queen Mary University of London for an engaging Who Are Scientists workshop. The session began with the university students introducing themselves and asking the children if they knew who Queen Mary was.

The workshop was led by current QMUL students, who regularly work with young learners from Year 3 through to Sixth Form, its aimed to challenge perceptions of what it means to be a scientist.

The first activity saw pupils selecting an object from a box that they believed a scientist would use and explaining their reasoning. They were then asked to choose an item they thought a scientist would not use. The twist? Every object in the box could be used in science. This helped pupils realise that science is not limited to test tubes and laboratories.

During a class discussion, one pupil explained that there are three types of science: biology, chemistry and physics.

Another shared that science can involve research or practical experiments. The children learned that science is all about asking questions and being curious about the world around them. They explored the scientific process, including researching, carrying out experiments, checking results and starting again when things do not go as planned.

Pupils also linked their hobbies to different science careers through a card matching activity, discovering how science connects to everyday interests. They were inspired by hearing why the university students chose to study science and how it shaped their futures.

This workshop strongly links to the school value of growth, as pupils developed their understanding, challenged their thinking and began to see new possibilities for their own futures in science.