Last week the Prep School was buzzing with excitement as we celebrated Science Week 2026, built around the theme “Curiosity – What’s Your Question?”. Throughout the week, students explored the power of asking questions, investigating ideas and discovering just how exciting science can be.
From forensic investigations and rocket-powered experiments to giant bubbles and satellite engineering, the week was packed with hands-on learning and imaginative thinking.
Launching Science Week
The week began with a whole-school launch assembly introducing the theme of curiosity and the many activities planned for the days ahead. The girls were challenged to think like scientists: to observe closely, ask questions and test ideas. Two major activities were launched during the assembly:
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The Lab Coat Design Competition invited the girls to design their own creative lab coats, imagining what a scientist’s uniform might look like. The designs were colourful, inventive and full of personality.
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At the same time, the school became the setting for the Howell’s Crime Scene Investigation. Each class was tasked with uncovering which teacher had “committed a crime”. Using scientific thinking and experimental evidence, the girls spent the week gathering clues, testing ideas and building their case.
Science in Action
Across the school, lessons and activities throughout the week encouraged the girls to explore science in different ways. During library sessions, pupils were encouraged to choose science-themed books, helping them discover fascinating topics ranging from space and animals to engineering and the natural world. Registration times and end-of-day sessions were also filled with discussions about curiosity questions, encouraging the girls to think about the mysteries of the world around them and the kinds of questions scientists ask.
There were also plenty of opportunities for fun, hands-on exploration during lunchtimes. The playground was transformed into a giant bubble laboratory as pupils experimented with bubble stations, creating enormous shimmering bubbles and exploring the science behind surfaces and air pressure.
A highlight of the week was a series of Lego Satellite Workshops run by the Physics and Astronomy team from Cardiff University. Girls in Years 3, 4 and 5 took part in hands-on engineering sessions where they explored how satellites work and why they are important. Using Lego components, they built their own satellite models while learning about the technology used to study Earth and explore space. The workshops gave pupils a fantastic opportunity to experience real-world science and engineering in action.
Several classes also joined live science lessons during the week. Pupils had the chance to take part in a BBC Teach “Horrible Science” live lesson, exploring light energy, the Moon and the solar system with astronaut Tim Peake. Later in the week, girls tuned in to a live session from the Ocean Conservation Trust, streamed from the National Marine Aquarium. The session answered some wonderfully curious questions about the ocean — including why the sea is blue, whether fish can drown and even why whale poo plays an important role in ocean ecosystems.
The Big Reveal
The week concluded with a reveal assembly where the results of the school-wide investigation were finally announced.
Each class nominated two girls to present their theory about who the “culprit” was, explaining their reasoning and the scientific evidence behind their conclusions. It was wonderful to see the girls confidently sharing their ideas and demonstrating the investigative thinking they had developed throughout the week.
The assembly also celebrated the Lab Coat Design Competition, with class winners announced and prizes awarded for the best designs in both Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. Huge congratulations to Sejal and Alice for being crowned the winners!
A Week of Curiosity
Science Week was a fantastic opportunity for the girls to experience science as something creative, collaborative and exciting. Whether building satellites or solving a mystery, students were constantly encouraged to ask questions and think like scientists.
Most importantly, the week reminded everyone that curiosity is at the heart of scientific discovery — and that sometimes the best place to start is simply by asking, “What’s your question?”
