All Year 10 pupils visit W5 in September to take part in a workshop called ‘Seismic Skyscrapers’ based around preparing for earthquake events. Students listen to a lecture on building design in earthquake prone areas and were then tasked with designing and constructing their own earthquake-proof building. Pupils thoroughly enjoy this workshop and their competitive nature is brought to the fore when they have to test their building during a simulated earthquake that lasts one minute. Some fabulous design concepts are produced – some successfully earthquake-proof, some not so much but excellent hands on learning takes place. Students also have the opportunity to visit the exhibits on display on each floor in W5 exhibition centre.
