Celebrating Science Week 2026

This year, Oxclose Primary Academy celebrated an inspiring Science Week with the theme “Let’s Visit the Moon!”, chosen to reflect the excitement around NASA’s Artemis missions and humanity’s return to lunar exploration.

The week began with a whole‑school assembly that introduced pupils to the challenges of space travel, sparked imaginative thinking and encouraged everyone to embrace curiosity - a core value of the Laidlaw Schools Trust. Throughout the week, children took part in hands‑on investigations, creative tasks and scientific challenges, all building towards a celebration assembly on Friday afternoon.

In Early Years, children embraced Space Week with enthusiasm. They examined “space rocks” and created lunar craters using flour and cocoa powder, noticing how different objects made different marks. Reception also decorated rockets, made astronaut helmets and created space‑themed artwork. Stories such as Astro Girl and Whatever Next supported their learning and inspired thoughtful questions about how astronauts live, sleep and float in space. Their imaginative play as Space Explorers - complete with countdowns and rocket launches - brought the week’s learning to life.

Children in The Nest took part in sensory activities that helped them explore the Moon in creative ways. They investigated crater formation by dropping marbles and polystyrene balls into trays of cocoa powder and cornflour and compared the different patterns they made. A pretend “flight to the Moon,” followed by a moon‑themed picnic, helped them imagine what travelling in space might feel like. The class also created textured moon models using paint, paper plates and foil, producing artwork that reflected the bumps and craters of the lunar surface.

Key Stage 1 pupils were full of excitement as they explored life beyond Earth. Year 1 designed rockets and space stations using creative materials and made puffy‑paint moon art to recreate the Moon’s cratered surface. Year 2 sampled astronaut‑style dried food and learned about the vast distance between Earth and the Moon. They also used bubble wrap to simulate the padded feel of a spacesuit, helping them understand how astronauts stay protected. These activities encouraged children to think like scientists - asking questions, making comparisons and explaining their ideas confidently.

Lower Key Stage 2 pupils tackled engineering challenges linked to lunar exploration. Year 3 designed and built their own moon buggies, considering wheels, axles and how a vehicle could move on uneven ground. Year 4 created a timeline of space travel, showing how technology has advanced over time, and learned how microgravity affects the human body - including how heart rate lowers in space because the heart doesn’t need to work as hard. Both year groups then joined together for a friendly moon‑buggy competition, proudly testing how their designs performed.

Upper Key Stage 2 pupils explored more advanced aspects of space science. Year 5 investigated astronaut nappies, learning how scientists solve everyday challenges in microgravity. They also planned, built and launched their own water rockets, testing pressure, stability and aerodynamics. In Year 6, pupils completed an astronaut bootcamp, measuring reaction times, comparing their fitness to astronaut requirements and attempting fine‑motor tasks while wearing “moon gloves” to simulate working with bulky equipment. Their teamwork and determination shone throughout the week.

The week ended with a celebration assembly where each class shared their projects and discoveries. We also presented our Curious Awards, recognising pupils who showed exceptional curiosity - a value at the heart of scientific thinking and our Trust ethos. This year’s winners were: Reuben Williamson (Reception), Freya Bulmer (Year 1), Harper Stallard (Year 2), David Wilkinson (The Nest), Jenson Atkinson (Year 3), Pagen Hull‑Burns (Year 4), Billie Lawson (Year 5) and Owen Herbert (Year 6). Additional awards were presented by Headteacher Mrs Bolam to Phoebe Longstaff, and by Deputy Headteacher Mrs Butler to Ever Harris for their enthusiasm and engagement.

Science Week was a fantastic success, inspiring children across the school to think boldly, ask questions and imagine themselves as future scientists, engineers or astronauts. The curiosity and excitement shown in every phase made this year’s learning truly out of this world.