Spiders – creepy crawlies that have you rushing for safety or fascinating creatures that are worth investigating?

That’s what children from Chilton Primary in Ramsgate have been exploring as part of their general hands-on Science learning.

A trip by Year 4 to the acclaimed Discovery Planet in Ramsgate town centre enthralled pupils who delved into a workshop session that focussed on all things spidery.

They discovered fascinating facts about their anatomy, their exoskeletons, their habitat, their food chains and spider venom, which is a natural pesticide.

Deputy Head of School Hannah Cheshire said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to hear from experts and have close-up and personal scientific experiences.

“The visit focused on science key skills, such as observation and predicting.”

The spider adventure was followed by another specialist workshop in school when science teacher Lauren Smith from Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School ran a session all about electricity which is the children’s science topic for this current term.

She focused on making a battery simple circuit to illuminate a light bulb which gave pupils the opportunity to see for themselves in practical terms how electricity is conducted and flows.

Mrs Cheshire added: “These hands-on workshops really do excite and inspire the children for their upcoming science learning.

“You could tell from their faces how engaged and enthused they were. Providing them with these memorable experiences, really does deepen their learning.”

 

Chilton Primary is part of the Viking Academy Trust with Upton Junior School, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate Arts Primary.

**For more information contact Head of School Alex McAuley on 01843 597695