NUSTEM Loans Boxes Spring 2023
This term children at Balliol Primary have been using NUSTEM loans boxes. NUSTEM loans boxes are linked to STEM careers and contain original objects and replicas that can be handled and used as part of classroom activities. While using the resources in the boxes, children get the opportunity to try out and explore some of the skills, techniques, equipment and ideas that STEM professionals use on a day-to-day basis.
Children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 have been using the following box. Click on the links to find out more about each box:
Children in Key Stage 2 have been using the following box. Click on the link to find out more about the box:
We hope you enjoy trying some of our activities at home!
Today, Key Stage 1 became naval architects. They designed, built and tested their own boats.
Year 5 visited Thinklab at Northumbria University and became ice core scientists. They travelled to the Antarctic and discovered what we can find out about the past from air bubbles trapped in the ice. The children used this as inspiration to write their own poetry. To find out more about the Antarctic and to see the completed poems, 
This half term, children in Key Stage 2 have been using our electricity loans box. For more information and activities to try at home, visit our 
This afternoon, Year 3 became mechanical engineers and built marble runs. They investigated the forces used and tried to slow the marble down. Visit our 
Today Year 5 have been finding out about what happens underneath the ice in Antarctica. They then wrote their own poem about this. To Find out more and read some poems by children in other schools, visit our 
Today it was Year 2’s turn to investigate materials using weight, electricity and magnets. Why not investigate how strong the materials in your home are by trying our 
Today Year 1 have been material scientists and investigated differnt materials. To become a materials scientist at home using ice and household materials, visit our 
We were back working with families for a second day today, with more families working together to design, build and test wind turbine blades to see which was most effective. For more activities to try at home, 