7M1 took part in a STEM Challenge activity looking at new and inclusive ways to light the Olympic flare at the starting ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics. Working in teams pupils researched and developed their ideas and delivered powerpoint presentations to a group of STEM ambassadors.

If succesful in competition with other schools, a team may have the opportunity to go through to the regional final in March.

There were lots of creative ideas, and following science experiments in school involving screeching jelly babies, some groups managed to incorporate this idea into their presentations. This experiment involves dropping a jelly baby into potassium chlorate, heated which creates a huge exothermic reaction (heat is given out) and the reaction makes a loud screeching noise with a purple colour. Some groups felt this would have something for everyone.