School children across the world can now take virtual trips through Imperial's research and education facilities via an immersive platform from Google. The College has worked with the digital education specialists Twig World to create a series of ‘Google Expeditions’ around its Carbon Capture Pilot Plant, animal research facilities, and South Kensington Campus. These virtual tours have now been launched on Google’s educational platform, Google Expeditions; download the app to start exploring!
Young inventors get hands-on experience in Imperial's Maker Challenge
Young people are learning new skills and techniques to turn their innovative ideas into reality in Imperial College London's Maker Challenge. The challenge, run through the Reach Out Makerspace at The Invention Rooms, allows students from local schools to develop their own prototypes and gadgets. As part of the Maker Challenge programme, students take part in weekly sessions where they learn to use making tools with the support of staff and students from the College. See the full article on our website.
School students explore science and creativity at Creative Quarter
Students flocked to Imperial to shake hands with robots, create art from science experiments and learn about the Bionic Man. During Creative Quarter, visitors also had the opportunity to attend demonstration lectures, take part in interactive exhibits, and find out about careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) at career insight sessions. Creative Quarter is an annual event in South Kensington which offers young people the chance to explore the latest developments and find out about career paths in art and science. See the full article on our website.
Upcoming events
Imperial Fringe: Walking in the Air – 5 December, 17:00
How do we investigate the invisible gases that surround us? How does Christmas affect our atmosphere? Find out as you enter a supersonic wind tunnel, hold a cloud in your hand and explore London’s air pollution and its impact on your health. 'Walking in the Air' is the latest in Imperial’s Fringe series of public evening events exploring the livelier side of science. Based on the College’s ground-breaking research, the Fringe programme runs throughout the year to give members of the public an opportunity to meet our researchers and find out more about our work. For more information and to register see the event page.
Year 12 lecture event – 8 February
This free event is aimed at students currently in Year 12 who have an interest in studying at Imperial. The event will kick off with a taster bioengineering lecture from an Imperial academic, Dr Jenna Stevens-Smith, giving you an insight into what it’s like to study at Imperial. This will be followed by a talk about writing an effective personal statement, covering what Admissions Tutors are looking for. The event will end with a student panel who will talk about their student experience and answer your questions about student life. For more information and to register see the event page.
Programmes for schools
Pathways to Medicine Programme
Applications for the next Pathways to Medicine are now open! This innovative three-year programme aims to support aspiring doctors and surgeons on their journey to medical school, providing many opportunities such as e-mentoring, a summer school, taster events and a medical work placement. We are looking for academically-able Year 11 students who stand a good chance of meeting the academic requirements for medicine but lack the support and/or family background to gain suitable advice and work experience. For more information about the programme and the application process please see our website.
Summer Schools 2018
Applications for the following summer schools will open on 15 January 2018:
Year 9 Engineering Summer School
Year 10 Insights into Science & Engineering Summer School
Year 11 Project STEM Summer School
Year 12 Engineering Summer School
Year 12 Work Experience Programme
Attending a summer school is a great way to discover what it is like to study at Imperial and what life is like as a student in London. For more information including dates, eligibility criteria (and the application links from 15 January) please see our website.
Dr. Me health promotion workshops for primary schools
Dr. Me is an innovative project which aims to encourage children to become more aware of their own health and provide a basic understanding of the management of common childhood illnesses. Schools can book free fun-filled workshops for Year 5 and 6 pupils which are in line with PSHE curriculum. The workshops are delivered by a team of fully trained doctors and medical students, including those from Imperial, and give children the opportunity to ask questions about Medicine as a career. For more information see their website or email c.fung@imperial.ac.uk.
Social Mobility Foundation- Aspiring Professionals Programme
Social Mobility Foundation’s free Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP) is now open for applications. The APP supports high achieving Year 12 students from low-income backgrounds across the UK to access competitive universities and careers. A variety of support is offered in 11 professional sectors including engineering, physics and medicine, through mentoring, career workshops, university application support and internships with top employers. For more information visit their website or email app@socialmobility.org.uk.
School Visits Programme
Jane Marshall, Imperial's Outreach School Visits Programme Manager, is offering entertaining and informative talks to sixth formers in state schools across London and the South East covering topics including the benefits of a degree and choosing your course and university, writing an excellent Personal Statement and how to perform well at interview. She also offers mock interviews for Year 13 students. Jane is taking bookings for spring and summer 2018 and beyond; you can contact her at j.marshall@imperial.ac.uk.
The Faculty of Natural Sciences Schools Science Competition
Now in its 4th year, the Faculty of Natural Sciences Schools Science Competition is free to enter and is open to teams of pupils from secondary schools across Greater London. The theme for 2018 will focus on the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Teams are asked to select a specific goal and to come up with a new and innovative scientific solution in response to this. The best teams will be invited to present their idea at a showcase event at Imperial in front of a live audience and a panel of VIP judges. For more information see the website.
Resources for schools and teachers
Advancing Access: Free Resources for Teachers and Advisers
Advancing Access is a partnership of 24 leading universities providing guidance online to support the CPD of teachers and advisers. They have launched three new strands of resources:
How do I help my students apply to university?
How do admissions processes work?
How do I help my students make the right choices for post-16 study?
You can download these free resources on their website here.
Departmental outreach
National Heart and Lung Institute
Find more about the National Heart and Lung Institute's activities on their public engagement page.
Physics Department
Find out more about the Physics department's activities on their Outreach page.
Bioengineering Department Find more about the department and their activities on their Facebook page.
Computing Department
Find more about the Computing department's activities on their Outreach page.
