Welcome to a busy November newsletter. We currently have several Outreach programmes open for applications from students, including; Accelerate into Maths and Science (Y12 entry), the mA*ths Online Programme (Y12 entry) and the Maker Challenge (14-18 year olds). Registrations are also open for state schools to attend, Wohl Reach Out Lab visits, Hands on STEM Days and Talks on campus (details below).
Plus we have opportunities to get involved with the Schools Science & Innovation Competition 2020, Science Challenge and more!
If you have any question about the Imperial events below, or the Outreach Team more generally, please get in contact at outreach@imperial.ac.uk
Best wishes,
Outreach Team
Outreach Programmes
Accelerate into Maths and Science
Imperial College London Applications open for Year 12 students
Accelerate into Maths and Science (AIMS) is an after school programme for Y12 and Y13 students, run in collaboration with academics from the Faculties of Natural Sciences and Engineering. It aims to give students an insight into how maths is applied across different science disciplines studied at university-level.
Following a launch event at the beginning of January, Year 12 students attend ten after school tutoring sessions during the spring term. When students are in Y13 they will be invited back for a further eight tutoring sessions during the autumn term. Sessions are run by Imperial academics and current undergraduate students.
Where? Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus When? 5pm to 7pm on Wednesdays
Mathematics, Science and Engineering (STEM) courses at the top Russell Group universities often ask for an A* in A-Level Mathematics. The mA*ths online programme offers tailored support to Year 12 students to assist them in achieving this grade in their A-Level Mathematics. During the programme participants will attend two masterclass events at Imperial and will take part in two 7-week MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) which feature both teaching and assessments. Additionally, they will receive online mentoring alongside the MOOC to support them with their studies.
This is a free programme which requires a commitment of around 2-3 hours a week. Participants are also expected to attend the two face-to-face masterclasses hosted at Imperial - the first opening masterclass we expect to be held on Saturday 11th January.
The deadline for applications is 23.59 on 23 November 2019.
Are you aged 14-18 and do you like making? Apply to the Maker Challenge! Over 12 weeks, young people aged 14-18 will prototype, design and make with access to cutting-edge equipment in our state-of-the-art workshop. We'll teach a crash-course in 3D printing, laser-cutting, woodworking, electronics, programming and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to improve your STEM skills and the winners will receive an amazing prize. What will you make?
Dates: Every Tuesday or Thursday evening (4.30pm-7.30pm) from January 11 - April 4.
This includes 4 weekend sessions (11/01, 12/01 or 18/01, 15/02, 04/04); no sessions take place during half-term.
Cost: Free (dinner included)
Location: Makerspace, The Invention Rooms, White City
The deadline for applications is Sunday 15 December 2019
16 December and 31 January
Imperial College London Registration of interest open
We have two upcoming events in the Wohl Reach Out Lab (South Kensington Campus) where current researchers will be running practical workshops aimed at school pupils. On Monday 16 December we will be running a day aimed at KS5 pupils who are interested in Medicine and related healthcare subjects and on Friday 31 January we will be running a day aimed at KS4 science and geography students.
Schools can register their interest in these events via our eventbrite pages from 15.30 on Friday 8 November (links below). Successful schools will be contacted directly by the Imperial College Outreach Team.
11 December and 13 December
Imperial College London Registration of interest open
We have an opportunity for up to 30 pupils to visit Imperial for a day of interactive STEM activities in our Wohl Reach Out Lab. Pupils can take part in three different activities run by our Inspire PGCE students as well as a short university talk.
Date: Wednesday 11 December or Friday 13 December Year group: Suitable for Y7-Y13 (a mix of a few ages within a key stage is fine) Number of pupils: Maximum of 30. Timings: Approximately 10am-2pm.
We can be flexible with the start and finish times based on school travel time. Content: A mix of maths, physics and chemistry hands on activities and demonstrations.
There is no cost to schools to attend. If you are interested in this opportunity please email Jennifer.cooke04@imprial.ac.uk by 12 noon on Monday 15 November. Please include preferred date of visit, age group and the number of pupils you wish to bring. We will allocate places based on our Eligibility Criteria which prioritises schools with below average attainment and a high percentage of students receiving free school meals.
Talks on Campus
Spring 2020
Imperial College London Registration of interest open
We have several opportunities for schools to bring groups of students to Imperial during spring 2020. Visits will be half a day in length and will involve (where possible) an introduction to Imperial, a talk from a current student/researcher and a campus tour.
Schools can register their interest in these events via our eventbrite pages from 15.30 on Friday 8 November (links below). Successful schools will be contacted directly by the Imperial College Outreach Team.
Multiple dates & times
Gresham College School groups welcome
Gresham College was founded in 1597 and has been providing free lectures within the City of London for over 400 years.Two Imperial academics have a series of free lectures planned at Gresham College over the coming year. These lectures are great for A Level students and can be used to support personal statements, career decisions and extended projects.
The lectures are all at the Museum of London and are also live-streamed and left up online afterwards. The lectures are not ticketed and operate on a first-come-first-served basis; except for schools which can book seats via enquiries@gresham.ac.uk
The Nature of Reality Roberto Trotta, professor of Astrostatistics within the Department of Physics, will explore our understanding of the fundamental reality of the cosmos, and delve into some of the biggest outstanding questions in physics in this series.
This series would be valuable for those considering physics and includes the following lectures;
Now in its 6th consecutive year, the competition is free to enter and is open to teams of pupils from secondary schools, or home-schooled groups.
The competition focuses on the UN’s Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Teams are asked to select one or more goals, identify a problem associated with these, and to come up with a new and innovative scientific solution in response - download the flyer for full details.
The best teams will be invited to present their idea at a showcase event at Imperial College in front of a live audience and a panel of VIP judges.
Each team must comprise of a maximum of 4 students and must be mentored by a named teacher from their school, or a home-educator.
The mentor must pre-register the team by Monday 02 December 2019, by completing the online Team Registration Form which can be found via the competition webpage.
Submissions must be made by Friday 24 January 2020.
The best teams will be selected and notified by Monday 03 February 2020.
The successful teams will be invited to present their film and pitch their idea at Imperial College London at a final showcase event on 18 March 2020 in front of a live audience.
Any questions regarding the competition should be directed via email to Rebecca Middleton, Faculty Education Manager at: fonsschoolscompetition@imperial.ac.uk
Science Challenge
Imperial College London Open for registration
What is the Science Challenge?
The Science Challenge is a science communication contest organized by Imperial students who want to demonstrate the importance of informing and sharing the wonders of science to non-scientific audiences. The goal is to encourage young people to consider the following: what is the wider societal impact of science, what problems can science solve and how do we communicate their relevance, why is it important that the public be informed of science?
The contest involves written and audio/visual entries that answer questions set by guest judges each year. It is open to high school students around the world, as well as all Imperial undergraduates, who answer the same prompts but be judged separately.
Why should you enter?
It is an opportunity to engage with science beyond the traditional syllabus of technical knowledge and analytical skills.
You will be challenged to think about science in a wider context, to communicate science in concise, engaging, and creative ways.
You will learn the importance of science communication, how misguided communication impacts the public perception of science, and how you can communicate effectively.
Not to mention, a cash prize of £500 for the overall Schools winner and an invitation to an exclusive London venue for the Final event for all shortlisted candidates.
Non-cash prizes vary from year to year, and in previous years have included a tour of the House of Lords and a tour of CERN in Geneva.
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