The W5 Learning and Education team has recently been on the road visiting rural primary schools across Northern Ireland to deliver our newest science education initiative – Plastic Planet!
Supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry and delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast and WheelWorks Arts, this programme brings cutting-edge environmental science directly into the classroom.
During each visit, pupils explored the fascinating world of plastics: how they’re made, why they’re useful, and most importantly, how scientists at Queen’s University are developing innovative solutions to tackle plastic pollution.
One of the highlights of the day was a hands-on experiment where pupils created their very own raw plastic from milk. This simple biopolymer offers a glimpse into sustainable materials that could one day replace traditional plastics harming our oceans and beaches.
From mixing and measuring to predicting and observing, pupils spent a full day immersed in real-world chemistry experiments. Their curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm shone through as they discovered just how exciting science can be.
Plastic Planet not only sparked conversations about sustainability and the future of materials, it gave young learners a sneak peek into the incredible world of chemistry and the scientists shaping our planet for the better.
Check out some of the feedback we received from some of the schools that took part:
Linn Primary School, Larne: “Thank you for a very successful and interesting day for all pupils involved. The pupils had great learning opportunities and access to incredible knowledge throughout the day. Being able to access this in school made it a brilliant experience as we weren’t concerned about additional expenses. The experience enthused pupils in the world of chemistry.”
St John’s Primary School, Dernaflaw: “The pupils really loved their outreach visit and this was a brilliant opportunity for the pupils to experience a taste of W5…”
Cortamlet Primary School, Altnamackin: “We loved it!”
