Woad at the STEAM Club

I was invited to a wonderful event at Gillespie School.  They put on a Science Spectacular to show what they’d been learning in their Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths  (STEAM) club.  They showed us robots they’d made and talked about the dye garden they have started (this is where I came in – to show the magic, or rather, science of woad dyeing). Some eminent grown-up scientists were on hand, too.  Mark Miodownik, who is a materials scientist from the Institute of Making, talked about what materials are likely to be used in fashion and medicine in the near future – like making our own 3D printed compostable clothes. Andrea Sella, a chemist, talked about the science behind the magic of woad. (I still think it’s plain magic) The grand finale was a hover board designed by the kids.  Amazing!  Well done to Carole Kenrick, their creative and inspiring scientist in residence.