Tag Archive for: history

Ada Lovelace Day: Inspiring the Next Generation of Innovators

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Every October, schools across the UK have an opportunity to celebrate one of the most remarkable figures in the history of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM): Ada Lovelace. Often recognised as the world’s first computer programmer, Ada’s story continues to inspire young people more than 170 years after her groundbreaking work. Ada Lovelace Day is an annual international celebration that highlights the achievements of women in STEM and encourages future generations to see themselves as innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders.

For both primary and secondary schools, Ada Lovelace Day provides a valuable opportunity to inspire pupils, challenge stereotypes, and promote a love of STEM subjects.

 

Who Was Ada Lovelace?

Born in London in 1815, Ada Lovelace was an English mathematician and writer who worked closely with inventor Charles Babbage on his plans for the Analytical Engine, an early mechanical computer. Although the machine was never built during her lifetime, Ada recognised something extraordinary about its potential. While many saw it as a calculation tool, she understood that such a machine could be programmed to perform a sequence of instructions and might one day be used for far more than mathematics.

Her notes on the Analytical Engine included what is widely regarded as the first computer algorithm, leading many historians to describe her as the world’s first computer programmer.

At a time when women were rarely encouraged to pursue science or mathematics, Ada’s achievements were truly pioneering.

 

What Is Ada Lovelace Day?

Ada Lovelace Day was founded in 2009 by science writer Suw Charman-Anderson. Held annually on the second Tuesday of October, the event aims to celebrate the achievements of women in STEM and raise awareness of their contributions, both past and present.

The day is celebrated around the world through talks, workshops, classroom activities, competitions, and projects that shine a spotlight on female scientists, engineers, mathematicians, inventors, and technologists.

The goal is simple but powerful: to provide positive role models and encourage more young people, particularly girls, to consider STEM-related interests, studies, and careers.

 

Why Ada Lovelace Day Matters in Schools

Despite significant progress, some STEM industries continue to face gender imbalance. Schools play a vital role in helping break down barriers by ensuring all pupils can see themselves represented in the subjects they study.

Ada Lovelace Day provides an excellent opportunity to:

  • Introduce pupils to inspiring historical and modern STEM role models.
  • Challenge outdated stereotypes about who can succeed in science and technology.
  • Encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
  • Highlight the wide range of careers available within STEM sectors.
  • Celebrate diversity and inclusion within learning.

By showcasing Ada Lovelace’s achievements, schools can help pupils understand that innovation comes from people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

 

Bringing Ada Lovelace Day into the Classroom

The beauty of Ada Lovelace Day is that it can be adapted for every age group.

In primary schools, pupils might explore Ada’s life through storytelling, biographies, creative writing, or simple coding activities. They could research female inventors, create posters about STEM careers, or discuss how technology helps people in everyday life.

Secondary schools can take a deeper approach by examining Ada’s contribution to computing, exploring coding projects, investigating women working in STEM today, or hosting talks and assemblies focused on future career opportunities.

Cross-curricular activities can also help bring the day to life. English lessons might explore Ada’s communication of complex ideas, maths classes could investigate patterns and algorithms, while design and technology projects can encourage practical problem-solving.

 

Creating Future Role Models

Perhaps the greatest legacy of Ada Lovelace Day is its ability to help pupils imagine future possibilities.

Many students may never have considered a career in engineering, software development, data science, cyber security, artificial intelligence, or research. Learning about people like Ada Lovelace helps make these careers feel accessible and achievable.

For schools, celebrating Ada Lovelace Day is about more than recognising one historical figure. It is about encouraging ambition, curiosity, and confidence in every pupil. By highlighting the contributions of women in STEM and promoting positive role models, schools can help inspire the next generation of innovators who will shape the future.

Just as Ada Lovelace imagined possibilities that others could not yet see, today’s pupils may become tomorrow’s inventors, engineers, scientists, and technology leaders. Ada Lovelace Day is the perfect opportunity to help them take that first step.

 

findingada.com

 

Planners:

https://boomeranged.co.uk/portfolio/primary-school-planners/

https://boomeranged.co.uk/portfolio/academic-school-planners/

https://boomeranged.co.uk/portfolio/school-pocket-planners/

https://boomeranged.co.uk/portfolio/16-school-planners/

 

Looking Forward to Women’s History Month which Honours Inspirational Women and their Impact

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Every March across the world, Women’s History Month is celebrated as a dedicated time to recognise the achievements, struggles, and contributions of women throughout history. For educators, it presents a valuable opportunity to inspire pupils and spark important conversations about equality, representation and social progress.

 

What Is Women’s History Month?

Women’s History Month is an annual, month‑long observance that highlights the role women have played in shaping society. Originating in the United States in the 1980s before being adopted internationally, it serves as an extension of International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March each year. In the UK, it offers schools a chance to explore women’s experiences across history, from political activism to scientific discovery, literature, the arts, and beyond.

The month is widely marked by educational events, themed assemblies, exhibitions, classroom projects, and community initiatives. It encourages pupils of all genders to learn about women who may have historically been overlooked or underrepresented.

 

Why Do We Celebrate It?

Women’s History Month exists to address a long‑standing imbalance in how history has been told. For centuries, the achievements of women were frequently overshadowed or omitted altogether. By spotlighting women’s stories, schools help pupils understand that progress—whether scientific, political, cultural, or social—is the result of many voices, not just the dominant ones recorded in traditional narratives.

 

Celebrating Women’s History Month helps:

  • Promote gender equality by giving visibility to women’s contributions.
  • Inspire pupils with diverse role models across disciplines.
  • Challenge stereotypes and broaden pupils’ understanding of what women have achieved—and can achieve.
  • Strengthen representation so that girls in particular see themselves reflected in positions of influence.
  • Encourage critical thinking about fairness, inclusion, and social progress.

For school staff, this is also a chance to embed equality and diversity into the curriculum in meaningful, sustainable ways.

 

Five Inspirational Women to Explore with Pupils

Below are five remarkable women whose stories can spark curiosity and discussion in both primary and secondary classrooms.

  1. Mary Seacole (1805–1881) – Nurse, Healer, and Humanitarian

Mary Seacole was a British‑Jamaican nurse who cared for wounded soldiers during the Crimean War. Despite seemingly facing racial prejudice and rejection from the War Office, she funded her own travel and established the “British Hotel” to support soldiers. Her courage and compassion make her a powerful role model for resilience and determination.

  1. Emmeline Pankhurst (1858–1928) – Leader of the Suffragette Movement

A central figure in securing women’s right to vote in the UK, Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), known for its motto “Deeds, not words.” Her activism changed British democracy forever and helped lay the foundations for gender equality today.

  1. Malala Yousafzai (1997– ) – Education Activist and Nobel Laureate

Malala’s global campaign for girls’ education began in Pakistan, where she advocated for schooling at great personal risk. After surviving an attack by the Taliban, she continued her activism on the world stage. At 17, she became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner and remains a modern icon of courage and advocacy.

  1. Ada Lovelace (1815–1852) – Pioneer of Computer Science

Often described as the world’s first computer programmer, Ada Lovelace worked with Charles Babbage on his early mechanical computer. She wrote what is considered the first algorithm and was visionary in seeing the potential of computing beyond mathematics. Her work inspires pupils interested in STEM subjects.

  1. Baroness Doreen Lawrence (1952– ) – Campaigner for Racial Justice

Following the tragic murder of her son Stephen, Doreen Lawrence became a powerful advocate for justice and equality. Her campaigning led to significant reforms in policing and public institutions, and she continues to champion community support, anti‑racism, and fairness.

 

Women’s History Month is a vibrant opportunity for UK schools to celebrate these stories and many more. By embedding women’s achievements into the curriculum—not just in March but throughout the year—schools help build a more inclusive, informed, and inspired generation of learners.

Secondary Planners

Primary Planners

Did You Know These Facts About The Victorians?

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  • We like to highlight important historical dates in Boomerang school planners and this week, we’re focusing on the Victorians.
  • Queen Victoria was born almost 200 years ago today, back in 1819.
  • As Queen of England for over 60 years, we thought we’d commemorate Victoria’s reign by bringing together a few facts about the Victorians that you may not know.

So here goes…

1) Queen Victoria gave us the white wedding dress

Queen Victoria

Although not the first to wear white on her wedding day, Queen Victoria was certainly the most influential.

With such a widely publicised wedding, her white lace dress was copied by brides across the country and thus she is often accredited with popularising this style.

2) Victorians wore black because of pollution

Victorian fashion had many influences but one contributing factor to the wearing of black clothing was the heavy pollution.

Ever-present smog would often stain clothes and wearing black became an effective way of masking the discolouring.

3) They gave us creepy literature

victorian-fiction

From The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, to Dracula, the Victorian era produced beautifully chilling tales, often with a Gothic influence, that still impact the horror genre to this day:

The Raven – Edgar Allan Poe

Dracula – Bram Stoker

The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde – Robert Louis Stevenson

4) Freak shows were common

victorian-freak-show

A highly controversial but popular aspect of Victorian society, ‘freak shows’ featured ‘attractions’ such as deformed people and animals, uncommonly large or small performers and anything else deemed a ‘freak of nature’.

 

5) Female hysteria was an actual medical diagnosis

female-hysteria

Once a common medical diagnosis reserved solely for women, ‘hysteria’ was seen as a ‘disease of the womb’. Woman considered to have it, displayed symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite and even a ‘tendency to cause trouble’.

So what do you think of our facts? Do you have any others to add to our list?

Tweet us @BoomEdLtd to let us know! 🙂

The Boomerang Team.

50 years ago: Torrey Canyon Oil Spill

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Here at Boomerang HQ, we like to highlight topics of interest throughout the year, especially when it comes to historical anniversaries.

We do this mainly through dedicated sections in our school planners but you can help us spread the word online too!

Torrey Canyon Oil Spill – What Happened?

This month marks 50 years since the Torrey Canyon oil spill of 1967:

50 years ago, the oil tanker Torrey Canyon disastrously struck Pollard’s Rock on the Seven Stones reef, near Land’s End, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The oil spill fast became a national crisis, as nearly 3 million gallons of crude oil leaked into the English Channel.

The impact on the local landscape was catastrophic with an estimated 15,000 sea birds killed, alongside large numbers of other marine organisms. The government controversially authorised RAF jets to bomb the remains of the oil tanker and napalm was used to set the leaked oil alight in a futile attempt to halt the situation.

Despite these efforts, the Guernsey quarry that was later named after the Torrey Canyon was still full of oil over 40 years later, continuing to cause damage and death to local wildlife.

However the disaster did result in tighter controls on marine pollution and although there have been oil spills since, clean-up operations have taken a more considered approach.

torrey-canyon-conversation

The Conversation

It’s all very well relating the facts of the disaster but we want to go one step further and turn an article into a conversation 😀

Some possible starting points:

  • Do you know of any more recent oil spills?
  • How were these dealt with in comparison to Torrey Canyon?
  • Is marine pollution still as much of an issue today?

Drop us a tweet using the hashtag #torreycanyon or leave a comment below – we’d love to hear from you!