STEAM outdoor education trail launched

A new outdoor STEAM trail has been launched at Westlakes Science Park, near Whitehaven in Cumbria.

Supported by Sellafield, the trail will give Key Stage 2 and 3 pupils (7-13 years) the chance to increase their skills in an outdoor environment.

The trail is both physical and digital, with children able to walk around it and use a complementary app. The app was designed by students at Lakes College, in Workington.

Sellafield Ltd has funded tablets which will be used to access the digital experience.

The trail is curriculum focused and features knowledge boards on topics ranging from photography to solar energy.

The aim is to increase children’s understanding of how STEAM underpin our daily lives.
It was designed by Design Code working with Rachel Suddart. Uniquely, it inserts arts subjects into the traditional STEM agenda.

Children from Valley Primary School, Whitehaven, were the first to roadtest the trail at an opening event last week.

Stuart McCourt, Sellafield Ltd’s education, community, and development lead, said: "We wanted to help create a unique and inspiring trail for primary school students.

"It will complement their school work by learning through real world examples.

"Westlakes is the perfect environment; it’s home to an inspiring mix of organisations who work with cutting edge technology and are surrounded by a stunning natural environment."