Last month, W5 joined forces with the British Council to deliver and host ' A Bridge to France' - an innovative schools’ programme that aims to inspire engagement in languages and STEM.
Programme Overview
The STEM led competition returned to encourage schools to use their skills and knowledge gained over the course of a 7-part programme to compete to build the most outstanding 'Bridge to France'. The programme combined French celebrations, customs, culture, and language, with the discovery of the fascinating engineering involved in designing some of the most famous structures throughout France, e.g. the famous Eiffel Tower and the Millau Viaduct (the tallest bridge in the world)!
This year, the programme adopted a blended approach by integrating in-person and digital engagement for participants. Across thirteen NI schools, KS2 students and teachers were given the opportunity to engage with a French speaking language assistant and participate in activities designed to enhance their skills in STEM activities, delivered by W5. British Council staff liaised with teachers remotely and provided resources for teachers to establish more international links within their classrooms.
The 'Bridge to France' programme aims to create, and maintain global links within education, promote the importance of learning a foreign language and alternative culture, and to promote STEM skills by taking part in activities to create an engineering solution to real-time problems over a 12-week period.
Final Celebration Event
Final celebrations took place at W5, where participating schools came together to present their bridges. Judged by a panel of five, the structures put together by each and every school didn't fail to impress, however ultimately the winning title was awarded to Holy Trinity Primary School.
Thank you to our overall winners, and our heat winning schools!
Holy Trinity Primary School - Overall winners
Crumlin Integrated Primary School - Heat 2 winners
Castle Gardens Primary School - Heat 3 winners
Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School - Heat 4 winners
Participating Schools:
Ballynahinch Primary School, Castle Gardens Primary School, Christ the Redeemer Primary School, Crumlin Integrated Primary School, Fort Hill Integrated Primary School, Holy Trinity Primary School, Irish Society's Primary School, Our Lady and St Patrick's Primary School, Sion Mills Primary School, St Columban's Primary School, St Joseph's Primary School Killough, St Malachy's Primary School, Victoria Primary School.
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