The Year 6 Resin Keepsake Project
As our Year 6 pupils begin their final weeks at Caterham Prep, they have once again taken part in one of the most cherished science traditions: the Year 6 Resin Keepsake Project.
Over recent months, pupils have carefully collected and saved a fascinating array of treasures to preserve within their creations. Dried flowers from special places, badges, tokens, shells, photographs and meaningful trinkets all found their way into the moulds. Some pupils even included carefully salvaged insect specimens discovered in loft spaces and gardens, creating miniature natural history displays that reflected their love of the natural world.
What makes this project so special is that every piece tells a story. Each keepsake is entirely unique, representing individual memories, friendships, interests and experiences from their time at Caterham Prep. As the children worked, conversations flowed freely as they shared the significance of their chosen items and the stories behind them. It was wonderful to witness such collaboration and camaraderie as the year group reflected together on their journey through the school.
Whilst deeply personal, the project also provided a wonderful opportunity to bring together many of the scientific concepts explored throughout the Prep School years.
The children observed first-hand how resin undergoes a change of state, beginning as a liquid before becoming a solid through a process known as polymerisation. They learned that when the resin and hardener are combined, a chemical reaction takes place, releasing heat as new molecular structures are formed. This provided a practical and memorable link to their studies of materials, states of matter and chemical change.
The project also connected beautifully with topics studied in earth science, evolution, life cycles and palaeontology. Many pupils chose to preserve natural materials such as leaves, flowers and insects within their resin, drawing comparisons with the remarkable amber fossils that have fascinated scientists for centuries. Some of the world’s most famous insect fossils were preserved in tree resin millions of years ago before hardening into amber during the age of the dinosaurs, particularly throughout the Cretaceous Period. These extraordinary fossils have provided scientists with invaluable insights into ancient ecosystems and extinct species.
Even the occasional “happy accident” became a learning opportunity. Small air bubbles trapped within some of the resin pieces were celebrated rather than corrected. Just as with ice core samples, where tiny bubbles were trapped in ancient Antarctic and Greenland ice, allow scientists to investigate changes in Earth’s atmosphere over hundreds of thousands of years, the bubbles within the resin now preserve a tiny snapshot of the moment each keepsake was created. In many ways, these beautiful pieces have become miniature time capsules, capturing not only treasured objects but also a moment in the lives of the children who made each one.
The completed projects are truly stunning, both in their creativity and care which went into every piece. For many families, the project has become a much-loved tradition. Several pupils spoke excitedly about older siblings who completed the project in previous years and whose resin keepsakes already occupy pride of place at home. There was great anticipation at the thought of their own creations now joining those treasured displays.
As we look ahead to the end of the academic year, these keepsakes feel particularly poignant. They serve not only as a celebration of scientific curiosity and creativity but also as a lasting reminder of friendships formed, challenges overcome and memories made during their time at Caterham Prep. We hope these beautiful resin keepsakes will always remind them of their years here and the experiences they shared.
