STEAMfest ignites Love of Creative Problem Solving for 300 Local Pupils
On Tuesday 20th May, Leighton Park School hosted its annual STEAMfest event, welcoming 300 Year 5 students from seven local Primary and Prep schools, including St Piran’s, The Oratory Prep School (OPS), Farley Hill Primary, Sonning CofE Primary, Emmer Green Primary, Whiteknights Primary, and New Christchurch Primary.
Bathed in sunshine on Leighton Park’s Ten Acre Field, the event celebrated the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) through a series of hands-on challenges designed to inspire creativity and teamwork.
Students, organised into teams of five, tackled three distinct activities mirroring real-world humanitarian challenges: constructing storm-proof shelters, designing rafts to transport essential aid across water, and devising systems to move clean water efficiently. With each task incorporating water, one perceptive Year 5 participant observed they were 'using water to make STEAM'. Each activity promoted collaboration, problem-solving, and innovative thinking - an embodiment of Leighton Park’s commitment to inter disciplinary learning and the school’s strong values.
Rachel Milhofer, Science teacher and STEAM Co-ordinator at Leighton Park, co-organised the event and praised the pupils'; enthusiasm: '
It was great to welcome local primary school students to the Park and share the joy that is STEAM. Our own students who supported the activities were delighted to help guide the younger pupils and point out how Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, alongside the creativity of the Arts, can be applicable in real world scenarios, such as in a humanitarian aid crisis. The visiting pupils loved the challenges, assessing how well they completed the tasks, and what they could do to improve if they repeated it.'
Educators and students alike recognised the value of learning beyond the classroom. Brenna Crompton from the OPS noted that STEAMfest “allowed the kids to do hands-on learning that they don’t necessarily get to do in school.' Mollie, a Year 5 student at Sonning, shared her preference for interactive activities:
'I prefer hands-on learning because it's more practical and you get to feel how to do this in real life.'
The event placed a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. Leighton Park students played a vital role in supporting the day’s activities, guiding the younger pupils and modelling resilience and leadership.
Laura Americanos, Head of Science at St Piran’s, commented: 'I
t was really nice to see the children working really collaboratively, especially with the children from Leighton Park as well, who were helping and guiding really nicely. It was great to get some STEAM into their day today and for them to do some activities that they’ve never done before, working as a team and thinking about the wider world.'
Annabelle, a Year 5 student from St Piran’s, echoed the sentiment: '
We’ve done lots of fun activities at STEAMfest and the students at Leighton Park are really fun to work with'
The event is part of Leighton Park’s Be Inspired Programme, which offers local schools free events and activities designed to extend and enrich the curriculum for Key Stage 2 students and beyond.
Roz Edwards, who coordinates the programme, reflected on the day: '
Organising STEAMfest again this year has been an absolute joy—from working closely with the schools and planning all the details, to seeing it all come to life on the day! But the best part for me was seeing the children’s happy faces as they embraced the challenges with amazing teamwork, creativity, and enthusiasm. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to our fantastic students and teachers for leading the sessions!'
As the day concluded, pupils departed with a stronger appreciation for how STEAM disciplines can address global challenges, new skills developed through teamwork and creativity - and a delicious Leighton Park cookie, courtesy of the Oakview & Thomas Franks catering team.
May 2025