Being a good scientist is more than just knowing about the subject, it is being able to do it. That doesn’t mean just repeating the experiments of the past but being able to design and perform your own experiments using modern techniques and technology. In CAST Sixth Form students engage in what we call 'Challenge Projects'. These are extended STEM based projects developed and delivered in close collaboration with partners in industry, health care and academia in association with Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology (CAST). Students have a choice of projects from across biology, chemistry, physics and engineering and computer science. All projects have a clear ‘challenge’ that students must overcome and some form of industry matched outcome at the end.
Working with scientisits from the Babraham Institute studetns genetically engineer bacteria to express the PTEN oncogene. They use a range of molecular biology techniques including transformation, mini-prep, PCR, restriction digests, electrophoresis and SDS-PAGE. The students visit the Babraham Institute, attending a workshop on scientific ethics and produce a scientific poster which they present to scientists from the Institute.
Working with engineers from the University of Cambridge, Department of Engineering students are designing, building and racing model dragsters.
Students use a range of organic chemistry techniques to synthesise gingerol, an anti-oxidant found in ginger, they then compare the purity of their compound to the same chemical they have purified from ground ginger.
Students are working with the University of Oxford to design, build and train AI's to analyse data from the ATLAS experiment at CERN.
Working with the Hobson's Conduit Trust students characterise a critically endangered chalk stream and produce a mangement plan to enhance it's protection.
Working with engineers and building physicists from Mace students designed a sustanable amenities building for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Challenge Projects normally last around 9 weeks, giving a real incite to working in a STEM industry.
Through Challenge Projects students develop a range of knowledge and skills including:
In addition to the skills and knowledge developed on the project topic itself, the challenges also support the students in gaining self-confidence.
As part of our Challenge Programme students complete the Baker Award for Technical Education.
As part of our Challenge Programme all students in CAST Sixth Form complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Students are given considerable time in college for this and are assigned a personal mentor who will work with them throughout their project, they will also have extensive experience of working on projects before they start. The EPQ develops, or extends, a variety of skills by allowing students to complete a project of their choice, either developing a subject they are already studying, or in an area that is of particular personal interest. It also provides an opportunity to complete something entirely new.
The outcome of the project can be either:
The EPQ allows students to develop a range of transferable skills, including:
These are skills that are particularly useful for students as they move on to university, apprenticeship and work. The qualification carries UCAS points and every year we have a number of students who gain university places as a result of this. Furthermore, a number of universities offer reduced entry offers to students with relevant EPQs and some also offer financial bursaries. The experience is also useful in demonstrating skills for those applying for apprenticeships and work.
Students really relish the opportunity to develop a project of their choice and take something that interests them to a higher level.
Projects are marked according to their planning, execution, student development and evaluation. This is assessed through the submission of the final report/dissertation, reflective diary, evaluation, presentation and planning documents. We follow the OCR specification for EPQ.
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