Dulwich Christmas Star: Alleyn's Pupil Wins National Space Challenge

A Dulwich pupil is reaching for the stars this Christmas, after winning a national science competition for primary schools.

10- year-old Lottie from Alleyn’s Junior School scooped the top prize in the junior category of the Empiribox ‘Win a Star’ competition, which invited children across the country to invent an alien – and take their place in space by winning a star.
Lottie took the top spot with her extra-terrestrial creation- a rainbow-coloured creature with clever characteristics for life in outer space. With big swirly eyes to see through fog and extra body weight to beat low gravity, the amazing alien impressed the Empiribox judges.
The Year 5 pupil was presented with her prize at a special school assembly last week. Winning a star in her name, and one named after Alleyn’s Junior School, Lottie was thrilled to receive a sky map showing where to find her stars at night.
Lottie’s classmates will also enjoy a magical star-gazing experience of their own, when an exciting planetarium show visits Alleyn’s Junior School in February as part of the competition prize.
Lottie said,
“When I thought about my alien, I read through everything about the planet. We had just studied space in our science lessons. I’d like to do something in science when I leave school. I was really excited to win as I’ve never won anything before!”
Teacher Brett Goldspink, Science Co-ordinator at Alleyn’s Junior School said:
“We were delighted to learn that Lottie had won this exciting science competition. At Alleyn’s we aim to inspire the next generation of scientists.”
The Win a Star Competition was run by primary science experts Empiribox, who work with schools across the UK to help teachers deliver exciting practical investigations and engage younger children with science.
Empiribox Founder Dan Sullivan said:
“Children are fascinated by stars and the idea of life on other planets. Our Win a Star Competition really fired their imagination and we were amazed by the creativity of the designs. Lottie’s entry really stood out because she showed a lovely understanding of space science. We believe that every science lesson should be practical and fun!”
Discover how Empiribox is nurturing future scientists. Visit www.empiribox.org.

The author

Damien Challenger

Damien is the co-founder of Nexus Education - a collaboration of over 11,000 schools, 500 solution providers and other key figures across the education sector. Nexus encourages, and aids, group collaboration across a number of areas including procurement and training to ensure the best possible outcomes for children in schools all over the UK. Nexus has invested over £100,000 directly into UK schools via #NeXworking.

https://www.nexus-education.com/