Stannah Project 2012

During the nationwide Science and Engineering Week, Portway Junior School has once again linked up with the Stannah Stairlift company based in Andover to provide an exciting new angle to their pupils’ education.

During the week Portway students worked very closely with employees of the company to design, build and market a Jubilee clock for the school. With about 30 Stannah Stairlifts staff working with the children.

The project followed a very strict design brief, with a focus on the symbols and themes of the school’s own Diamond Jubilee along with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The students spent the time leading up to it researching clocks and images related to this year’s theme.

This was followed by a day of considering the needs of the community and building a working prototype of the finished product; students then worked on designing a successful marketing campaign. 

Head of Year 5, Mr Ireland said:

 “This project is a great way to get our pupils working with adults on a very creative design and build project with a clear science and technology theme. This week is National Science & Engineering Week and is an ideal opportunity to get children working with adults who work in industry and who are particularly involved in engineering.  The pupils come away with a very different perception about what engineering is and many of them start thinking that this is something they would like to do when they are older. There is a real buzz about the school during the project and the pupils really love it.”

Mr  Deery said:

“The partnership between Portway Junior School and Stannah Stairlifts is very exciting and one that we hope will last for many years. Both organisations see themselves at the very heart of the local community and it is natural we have decided to work together.

 This week’s project is very exciting and will involve 90 year 5 pupils working with Stannah employees. We would like to particularly thank Catriona Heathcock (Human Resources Director) and Jacqui Turley (Learning and Development Manager) from Stannah for all of their support.”

PHOTOS TO FOLLOW

By Year 5