EVOLV3
Reaching for the Stars: EVOLV3 Space Exploration Session 2023
On Saturday 20th March 34 HIS students from the Primary and Secondary school were invited to take part in our most ambitious EVOLV3 session to date, where these students were encouraged to reach for the stars.
The theme of the day was inspired by the recent fantastic achievements by the UAE with their space exploration and to celebrate the HOPE probe mission to Mars. The exciting space-age activities and missions were planned and delivered by our science, technology, English and social studies subject specialists Mr Hafiz, Mr Petkar, Mr Catchpole and Mrs Robinson. Each activity was designed to develop the students’ knowledge, understanding and appreciation of what it takes to explore Space and new frontiers.
EVOLV3 Space Exploration Day
Horizon International School's EVOLV3 Space Exploration Day: A Cosmic Adventure
The secondary students gained the opportunity to compete against each other in teams of three completing a series of space missions and learning about the UAE’s Hope Probe mission to Mars. The session began with a fact-finding exercise where each team had 20 minutes to review four articles relating to the UAE’s Space Exploration programme. When the time was up the articles were collected and they competed in a Kahoot Quiz.
This was highly competitive with the lead changing several times but Team X Æ A-12 (Andreas, Maria and Omar Y8) finally finished in the first place. However, this was just the first part of the day and there was plenty more activities to follow and test their brainpower.
Next, the students were asked to build and launch a rocket with the UAE as a central theme running through it. They were given rocket kits and had to make choices based around fin designs, aerodynamics and rocket design. These students were then introduced to some challenging and sophisticated space-themed robotics and coding techniques.
The groups were set 5 separate missions to complete with increasing difficulty which had similar problems to solve to what they may encounter in space. Through working collaboratively, trial and error, using their critical thinking skills and analysis they were able to successfully complete each mission with precision.
The Primary groups were split into two separate focus groups with one focusing on planning, designing, preparing and building a model space station for Mars and the other group consisting of junior reporters. The primary scientists were sub-divided into groups of 3 and had to consider a multitude of scientific problems and find the solutions for humans to be able to inhabit another planet.
After lunch and the jam-packed activities, there was still time towards the end of the day for one last finale. The parents and primary students were invited to join us on the school field to watch the secondary students’ launch their rockets.
Each group were scored on parachute deployment, safe return of their rocket and the build quality. This was certainly one of the great highlights of the day. The panel of judges had a tough job and deliberated over each of the groups for a while but finally agreed on the Primary and Secondary winners.
We are pleased to announce the winning Primary Team for their imaginative space station design were Andrei, Eden and Luka and the Secondary winners by 1 point were the group called Space AIL, including the three Year 9 students Iva, Artem and Lukas. All these students will receive their certificates after the spring break.
This was our fifth weekend EVOLV3 session of the year and certainly one of our most exciting and adventurous sessions and we would like to personally thank our highly skilled staff Mr Hafiz, Mr Petkar, Mr Catchpole and Mrs Robinson for planning this fantastic session. The session was very well thought through from start to finish and the monthly value of diversity was clearly represented throughout. We now look forward to the next EVOLV3 Talks which will be held in June.
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