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| 7 September 2010 | |
Course Title: Scientific Challenges
Subject: Science
Age Range: Years 6 - 7
Course Date: 15/02/2010 - 19/02/2010
Course Details
The aim of the course is to stimulate the students’ interest in aspects of science not usually studied in school. Each day will involve practical activities (some of them outdoors) involving new skills. Students will work individually as well as in small groups. They will be encouraged to engage in higher level thinking activities (analysis, synthesis and evaluation) and to share their thoughts and ideas with other students and groups as well as to value the contributions of other students. Experts lead these sessions and they assist students to be independent learners, so learning and enjoyment may continue after the course. After each full day of scientific activity students will assess the progress of themselves and the others in their working group.
The four challenges involved are:
· Technological Science – in which students design, make and test devices to perform a given task.
· Human Physiology – in which students study the effects of diet and exercise on our body systems.
· Geology and Ecology – in which students study the rocks, fossils and living organisms on Kilve’s rocky shore, with an emphasis on the organisms’ adaptations.
· Freshwater Ecology – in which students study the factors affecting the community of animals in Kilve’s stream in order to determine the degree of water pollution.
On the first afternoon students will work on short introductory investigations based on the four activities above. This enables them to choose three of them to study in depth over the next three days.
On Friday morning students complete an exhibition of their work in each group. They view each other’s presentations and prepare to explain their work to their parents and visitors during an informal conducted tour. This tour begins after lunch and is followed by a short formal session of presentations for all course members and visitors.
Each evening offers a different kind of challenge, with physical activities led by Kilve Court staff. These include abseiling, archery, rifle shooting and low ropes.
Living at Kilve Court for five days and working with enthusiastic staff and other gifted students is an exciting and valuable experience. At the end of the week, whatever their favourite scientific activity has been, our students always rate highly the stimulation and enjoyment they have gain from the residential aspect of this course.
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The aim of the course is to stimulate the students’ interest in aspects of science not usually studied in school. Each day will involve practical activities (some of them outdoors) involving new skills. Students will work individually as well as in small groups. They will be encouraged to engage in higher level thinking activities (analysis, synthesis and evaluation) and to share their thoughts and ideas with other students and groups as well as to value the contributions of other students. Experts lead these sessions and they assist students to be independent learners, so learning and enjoyment may continue after the course. After each full day of scientific activity students will assess the progress of themselves and the others in their working group.
The four challenges involved are:
· Technological Science – in which students design, make and test devices to perform a given task.
· Human Physiology – in which students study the effects of diet and exercise on our body systems.
· Geology and Ecology – in which students study the rocks, fossils and living organisms on Kilve’s rocky shore, with an emphasis on the organisms’ adaptations.
· Freshwater Ecology – in which students study the factors affecting the community of animals in Kilve’s stream in order to determine the degree of water pollution.
On the first afternoon students will work on short introductory investigations based on the four activities above. This enables them to choose three of them to study in depth over the next three days.
On Friday morning students complete an exhibition of their work in each group. They view each other’s presentations and prepare to explain their work to their parents and visitors during an informal conducted tour. This tour begins after lunch and is followed by a short formal session of presentations for all course members and visitors.
Each evening offers a different kind of challenge, with physical activities led by Kilve Court staff. These include abseiling, archery, rifle shooting and low ropes.
Living at Kilve Court for five days and working with enthusiastic staff and other gifted students is an exciting and valuable experience. At the end of the week, whatever their favourite scientific activity has been, our students always rate highly the stimulation and enjoyment they have gain from the residential aspect of this course.
Back