June 2011 - UCAS Convention
Write up by Paige Walsh
In June 2011 Sixth Form travelled to Aston University to visit the UCAS Education convention. Over 140 Exhibitors (Universities, Colleges and other relevant organisations) were present to answer questions about courses, open days, applying to university, student loans and gap years. Overall the day was a success and many of us gathered useful information and quite a few free pens!
July 2011 - Business Studies Trip to Coventry University
Write up by Ethan Yates & Cameron Woodhouse - Year 12
We went to Coventry University as part of a business challenge focused around the Olympics. Eight of us took part and soon we were divided into two teams to compete for a prize. We had to create a business idea based around an Olympic design brief which revolved around the Olympic theme using Food and Refreshment, Merchandise, Media and Technology or the Athlete Experience.
We firstly did some mind mapping around the theme and when we had our idea we allocated roles such as market research, finance and project manager. The market research students had to do some primary research in the local sports centre whilst the remaining students located evidence for secondary research on funding, costs, existing competition and target audience. This then gave us some knowledge on how to develop our idea further, and then had to produce a presentation, explaining our idea and how it would work in London 2012.
At the end of the day we had to present our business plan to a judging panel from the University Staff where they then questioned us and announced the overall winners. The day was fun and challenging and gave us a real life experience of the Apprentice!
27th June 2011 – ‘Specroscopy in a Suitcase’
Write up by James Bayley 12JPI
Windsor played host to ‘Spectroscopy in a Suitcase’, a Year 12-13 Chemistry transition programme helping to bridge the gap between AS and A2. Representatives from Leicester University, Bob Blake and Tracey McGhie, arrived at Windsor transporting specialised equipment, which came to an overall cost of approximately £65,000. A ‘Mass Spectrometer’ (£35,000 second-hand) was demonstrated by Bob Blake, a specialist in atmospheric chemistry. He explained the various stages of Mass Spectrometry, before putting his machine to action to analyse a compound.
The ‘Infra-red Spectrometer’ (£30,000) was available for use by all of the students in the class and, with the expert guidance of Tracey McGhie, every individual had the opportunity to scan and analyse several unknown chemicals in order to uncover their identity. The workshop proved invaluable in highlighting to students the vast number of techniques utilised by Chemists globally and for many students effectively evidenced that this central science is far more than just Bunsen Burners and calculations.
A huge thank you to both Ms. Kaur and Ms. Harper for organising the event itself, but also for their continued support given throughout the past year at AS.