For Creative Learning Week 2014 a group of 22 pupils from years 7, 8 and 9 took part in the Eureka Project. Please scroll down for pictures.

This innovative new project was run jointly by the Mathematics and History departments and involved pupils learning about the culture, science and mathematics of Ancient Classical Greece and their impact on the modern world.

The project started on Monday 23rd June with pupils and staff donning their Ancient Greek costumes. An introduction to the world of Ancient Greece followed including learning about the epic poems of Homer. Later that day the pupils re-enacted an abridged version of The Iliad and created a video of the production.

Tuesday was devoted to pottery and science. Pottery was an important feature of life in Ancient Greece and after learning about the different kinds of pottery including vases, drinking cups and amphorae, pupils went into the workshop to have a go at throwing their own pot. Later in the day pupils sat outside under the trees for a short Greek style lecture about Ancient Greek scientists, especially Archimedes. After learning about many of Archimedes' famous inventions including his 'Eureka' moment when he discoved the water displacement theory, pupils were given a challenge to make an Archimedean Screw. They worked in teams and were able to select from a range of practical equipment to make this effective water lifting device. The final part of the day was spent studying the Antikythera Mechanism which at over 2000 years old was first 'computer' ever to be built.

On Wednesday the group was joined by two visiting international students from San Diego University. The visitors were soon kitted out in Greek costumes too. The day began by finding out about some famous early Greek mathematicians including Thales and Pythagoras. Pupils worked in pairs to make a measuring device using angles in the style of Thales and then used them to measure the heights of trees. Next they created Pythagorean surveying measures and used them to explore the properties of right angled triangles and Pythagorean triples.

The second half of the morning was devoted to Greek architecture. Pupils had a short introduction to the 'stick and band' architecture kit and then worked in teams to design and build a Greek temple. The temples had to be free standing, strong enough to withstand the earthquake test and large enough for all the team members to get inside together. The day continued with brief look at the Paradoxes of Zeno including the one about Achilles and the Tortoise. In the afternoon pupils made scale models of the five Platonic solids discovered by Ancient Greek mathematicians.

It was an early start on the Thursday morning for a trip to the British Museum in London to view the Greek galleries. The group left school at 7:15am to drive to Stoke station and catch the train to London Euston. On arrival at the British Museum the pupils found the building itself awe inspiring. Seeing the artefacts in the Greek galleries including pottery, marble statues, coins, jewellery, swords and shields as well as the Parthenon Galleries and statues from the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, really brought their learning during the rest of the week alive for pupils. After the museum visit pupils enjoyed a short break in Russell Square Gardens before travelling back on the train and returning to school at around 8:30pm.

Friday was an energetic day with pupils competing in teams at some sports from the early Olympics. These included running and throwing events. Pupils also learnt about how the original Olympics began in 776BC and the cultural traditions associated with the games.

The week concluded with a Symposium - an Ancient Greek style party which involves guests reclining on one elbow on the floor around a rectangular central area where food is served. Pupils sampled some traditional Greek foods including feta cheese, olives, honey, figs, dates and grapes.

All the pupils were excellent throughout the week, they were very willing to try out every challenge and new activity and they learnt a huge amount about Ancient Greek culture in the process.

A gallery of photographs from the week can be seen here. Please click on an image to enlarge it.

Mrs C Tilt and Mr L Mackin

Eureka Project Leaders