Oakham School History and Design Technology Departments joined forces last week and organised an IBMYP cross-curricular day in connection with the pupils’ Battlefields Trip to France earlier in the week.
In assembly, pupils welcomed representatives from BLESMA, an armed forces non-profit charity for limbless veterans, who gave a talk about resilience and how design and technology have allowed them to live sustainable lives.
Lisa, a single-leg amputee, spoke about how military training led to her injury, the impact this had on her family and her venture into Invictus sport.
AJ Mead shared how he lost both his legs after contracting sepsis from a football injury and how his prosthetic legs help him continue an active life, as well as adaptive technologies for sports including Para- Ice Hockey.
At lunch, Oakham’s catering department set up a section serving food similar to that on offer at the time of WW1.
During the afternoon, pupils worked in teams designing the following products:-
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- A leg splint accounting for a wide range of users
- A product to evacuate casualties from the battlefield
- A product to allow medical officers to carry all equipment and keep it secure and in good condition
- Products to improve life in the trenches (sleep, fitness and health, food storage etc).
The day culminated with pupils giving presentations of their designs and talking through their ideas.
Mr Tim Weston, Head of Design and Technology said, “A huge thank you to BLESMA who ran the inspirational assembly. The day was a great opportunity for pupils to develop knowledge, understanding and skills through interconnected topics, as well as enhance their learning. The pupils’ final designs were excellent with many showing thoughtful detail and connections to work studied in History for the Battlefields visit.”