At LPS Clapham, we believe that education should spark curiosity as well as build knowledge. Alongside their academic studies, students are encouraged to explore new ideas, develop practical skills and discover interests that extend beyond the curriculum.
One of the ways we do this is through our programme of Student and Parent Masterclasses. These sessions are designed to celebrate a love of learning, giving students and families the opportunity to engage with new topics, share ideas and experience learning in different ways.
This year’s student masterclass programme began with the Sweet Catapult Challenge, a hands-on STEM activity that challenged students to design, build and test their own catapults. Working in teams, students applied principles of engineering and problem-solving as they sought to launch sweets with accuracy and distance.
The session combined creativity, collaboration and practical experimentation, encouraging students to think critically, test ideas and refine their designs. As well as developing their understanding of STEM concepts, students practised teamwork, communication and resilience as they encountered setbacks, adapted their approaches and celebrated successes together.
What made the challenge particularly engaging was its blend of fun and learning. Students were able to experience the excitement of discovery first-hand, seeing how classroom concepts can be applied in practical and memorable ways. The activity demonstrated that some of the most powerful learning takes place when students are given the opportunity to experiment, take risks and learn through doing.
