Children take part in STEAM sessions in Saffron Walden

Sandra Beale runs the sessions for babies, toddlers and early years from her home in Saffron Walden.

She initially started the sessions to entertain her middle son, who is now eight, when he was nine months old.

Children at the sessions explore science, technology, engineering, art and maths (Image: Sandra Beale)

A summer half term session was held on June 2, with 12 children ranging in age from 11 months to eight years taking part. The children enjoyed colourful volcanoes, ice boats, painting with ice and balloon kebabs.

Sandra said: "An example of a typical Monday morning session is a small group of four or five young children aged between two and four years along with their mums around my dining table exploring various science concepts in a fun and playful environment. 

"The session is usually an hour with three or four visual experiments.

Children at the sessions take part in fun experiments (Image: Sandra Beale)

"The sessions are run with a bigger group and more varied ages during half term and holidays.

"The last few big sessions were the Easter STEM session with eight young children from age two to eight, and the Valentine STEAM session with children aged eight months to eight years. 

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"In November last year I organised an Early Years STEAM campaign to raise funds for Children in Need.

Children made 'balloon kebabs' during the STEAM session (Image: Sandra Beale)

"The event was very successful and was covered by the BBC radio and TV."

This was the third time Sandra had arranged a STEAM session to support Children in Need. The first time she sold jars of experiments to raise money, and the second time she organised a nationwide session over Zoom.

Over the past two years, Sandra has participated in the BBC's STEM Science Month with a presentation on her early years STEM project.

The latest session was held earlier in June during half term (Image: Sandra Beale)

She also runs sessions at Saffron Walden Museum and the Cambridge Science Centre, and has run sessions with infant classes at local primary schools.

Sandra's next big STEAM session will take place at 9.30am on June 23, and at 10am on June 28 a toddler and early years session will be held at La Boite restaurant.

The La Boite sessions will also take place every Wednesday in July. Sessions cost £4.50 and last for an hour.

For more information please contact the owner of La Boite, Daniella, on 07541 682072 and for bookings please email Sandra on sandra_3006@yahoo.co.uk.

Children took part in colourful experiments (Image: Sandra Beale)