Year 8 Visit to the Science Museum, London
On Wednesday, 22nd October, all of Year 8 enjoyed a visit to the Science Museum in London as part of our school's first, newly established, Day of Recollection (Curriculum Enrichment Day) of the year — held on the Feast of St. John Paul II.
These special enrichment days are an important part of our curriculum at St. Mary’s Catholic High School. They provide students with opportunities to learn in new and creative ways, make connections across subjects, and experience learning beyond the classroom.
Located on Exhibition Road, the Science Museum celebrates the wonders of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). Its fascinating galleries tell the stories of discovery, invention, and innovation that have shaped our world — past, present, and future.
During the visit, students had time to explore four galleries:
- Flight Gallery – Pupils discovered the history and science of flight, seeing famous aircraft such as the Antoinette monoplane (1909), Amy Johnson’s Gipsy Moth, and the Vickers Vimy, which completed the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic in 1919.
- Mathematics Gallery – Students explored how mathematics connects to every aspect of life and helps us understand the world around us.
- Clockmakers Museum – Home to the world’s oldest collection of clocks and watches, this gallery showcased hundreds of intricate timepieces and marine chronometers.
- Space Gallery – A highlight for many pupils, this gallery celebrated both the early space missions and the exciting future of space exploration. Students were especially inspired by the story of Katherine Johnson, the brilliant mathematician whose work was vital to the success of the Gemini and Apollo missions.
Ms Piekarski reports:
"Our Enrichment Day out to the Science Museum in London was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about Science and the role that it has played in moments of historical significance. For example, the Apollo 10 command module was incredible to see up close — it felt amazing to stand right in front of something that had actually been to space!
We loved getting to travel there on public transport as well. For many of us, taking the train and then jumping on the Underground made the day feel even more exciting. It felt like a real adventure navigating the stations as we headed toward the museum.
Inside the Science Museum we explored loads of different galleries, from space technology to early engines and old-fashioned clocks. Each section showed how scientific ideas have changed the world.
Overall, the trip was not only fun but also reminded us how important science is in our everyday lives. We learned lots, had a brilliant day out, and came back feeling inspired — and maybe even a little more confident travelling around London."
Year 8 Science Museum - October 2025
