Year 10: Engines, Energy and the Environment
Thurs 14th July to Sat 16th July 2005
The aim of this particular Summer School was to focus on more vocational and practical subjects that could be studied in further and higher education. 33 students from Northamptonshire and Leicestershire came to this Summer School.
Day 1
The students all arrived between 2 and 3pm, many were hungry so we laid on lunch for everyone on arrival! The first session was all about introducing the Gurus and the programme. After the introductions and ice-breakers, the whole group went to see a UCN Graduation Procession (as the UCN Graduations were taking place on campus the same week). We watched the Law tutors proceed into the marquee, all wearing their caps and gowns. This was a new experience for many of the students and it demonstrated what they too could achieve should they progress into higher education. Once we had seen the procession, a talk was given on vocational progression routes to help show the students the many different pathways into and through higher education.
Once all the 'formal' timetabled sessions had finished the students met their Gurus and got taken to their flats and shown around their new home for the next few days! Dinner was a BBQ at the Students Union, followed by a DVD - Shrek (selected by the persuasion of certain Gurus) and Circus Skills! Though some people were reluctant to take part, everyone had a go at something - whether it was the stilts, balancing feathers, the Diablo or juggling - and by the end of it were having fun. It helped all the students and Gurus relax and get to know each other while learning a new skill.
Day 2
Today all the students and Gurus went off into local Colleges to do a day of 'subject' work. Students had to pay attention to what they were being taught as they all had to prepare a presentation for the last day of Summer School when they got back onto campus! The subjects on offer were Childcare at Northampton College, Motorsport Engineering at Silverstone with Tresham College, Water Quality Management and Small Animal Care both through Moulton College.
In Childcare the students looked into the idea of play and discussed how important it was for a child's social and intellectual development. Students had to sample 'play' by making play dough and playing with various liquids. They then had to create their own outdoor games which they felt would encourage young children to play. In the afternoon the students learnt how to bath a baby (with plastic dolls, though a real baby was used for the demonstration!) and also how to put on a Terry Towelling nappy!
In Motorsport Engineering the students were taken to a classroom and told about the day and different courses available to those interested in motorsport careers. They were then taken to the surprisingly clean workshop and shown the car they would be working with. The students had a chance to sit in it to see how a real driver felt. It was then off to the track to first of all watch some cars racing and then to see "our" car go through some time trials. Students had to time the car and then change the tyre pressure to see if it made a difference to the lap times. After this they all returned to the classroom to get ready for the presentations they would be doing the next day.
In Water Quality Management students had to dress for the occasion, by wearing waders, and take samples from four different areas of water. This was a lot of fun - and when one of the Gurus fell in it caused many laughs by everyone involved! In the afternoon the students had to take their samples to the lab and test them for chemicals and pollution.
In Small Animal Care students had to first get to know the animals and study them for 30 mins. Animals such as gerbils, rabbits and guinea pigs were studied and a record had to be kept of what the animals did in this time. Students then had to make a 'toy' out of cardboard and then observe the behaviour of the animals once this toy was introduced into their environment.
All of the students had a very enjoyable day - though quite tiring! When everyone got back to UCN, we all played a game of rounders to 'wind down'. It was then time to 'get creative' and to make their beach party props! At 7.30 the Beach Party started with fruit cocktails such as "Frantastic", named after Guru Fran, and games such as the limbo pole and the coconut shy! The giant paddling pool caused a huge water fight, mostly between the students though some of the Gurus got involved too!
After the limbo competition, the beach party props were then judged by one of the Student Union staff! The competition was very tough and there were some excellent props. These included a beach scene, a yellow submarine, a giant ship (3rd prize), a shark (2nd prize) and a puppet show by Guru Laura and her flat team - the show involved all of the Gurus which went down a storm (and it won 1st prize)! After all the excitement of the props, there was only 15 minutes of dancing left! The evening wouldn't have been complete, however, without a giant conga around the Students Union!
Day 3
Saturday was the last day of the Summer School, so students had to empty their flats and clean up the kitchen - including doing the washing up! They all had a chance to then work on their group presentations and do some final practices. After lunch it was presentation time! Each subject did an excellent presentation - outlining what they had done in the colleges and the results of any experiments they did. The Childcare group even demonstrated how to put on a Terry Towelling nappy by using a towel - on one of their team! After the presentations, the flat team posters were judged and prizes given. Guru Vicki's team won this - which she was extremely excited about! Finally, all students were presented their certificates at the Summer School Graduation Ceremony. Lee Jones, a member of the Aimhigher team, wore a gown and mortar board to give them all a sense of occasion and reality to what they had achieved over the Summer School. After that it was signing each others t-shirts and time to go home!
