Spring 2014
South West Wales Reaching Wider Partnership Mega Maths Swansea University is hosting a regional interactive Maths quiz for over 100 Year 7 pupils on the 25th June. Teams of pupils from Birchgrove, Bishop Vaughan, Cefn Hengoed, Cwmtawe, Dylan Thomas, Glan Afan, Pentrehafod and Morriston will compete against each other. Quiz rounds will require pupils to answer a series of intriguing mathematical based questions and problems. The first round is based on procedural maths with questions mirroring those asked as part of the National Literacy and Numeracy framework testing. Other rounds include observation and financial literacy. The quiz hopes to deliver a fun and interactive day to enhance Year 7 Key Stage 3 Maths curriculum. The event has been developed in liaison with Further Maths Support Programme (FMSP) Wales and a LEA Maths advisor. During April as a lead up to the quiz students studying STEM subjects from the university visited each participating school to help the pupils prepare for the quiz and deliver mathematical workshops.
Primary Visits
Inside12this Year Summer issue:University 2011
On Thursday 20th March Reaching Wider welcomed their youngest ever visitors to Swansea University when we hosted 27 pupils from Years 4, 3 and 2 at Cymer Afan Primary School. During their time on campus the pupils worked with student leaders and they explored the differences between primary schools, comprehensive schools, colleges and universities. It was amazing to see what they learnt during such a short time! Prior to visiting campus the pupils undertook a science workshop at The National Waterfront Museum - here Jon Chase of CBeebies fame delivered a workshop entitled Dark and Light. This workshop linked into the pupils’ work on senses in school.
I:Spell After weeks of practicing, teams from Coedcae, Dyffryn Amman, Milford Haven, Pentrehafod, and Sandfields schools gathered at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David’s Carmarthen campus to take part in the I:Spell competition. 10 teams of 5 pupils took part in different rounds testing their ability to spell tricky words, unscramble complicated conundrums and select the correct word to complete the sentence. The Reaching Wider team were really impressed not just by the pupils’ spelling skills, but also by their ability to stay calm under pressure in a competitive situation. After a tense and close run final elimination round, the ultimate winners were pupils from Dyffryn Amman school.
Motiv8! During the spring term, Reaching Wider piloted a new programme for Year 8 students named Motiv8! Fifty-eight students from Dylan Thomas Community School attended the event held at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David (Townhill Campus). The day was developed from the popular Year 9 ACE Day model that the Partnership has been running for a number of years, but refocussed to engage with younger audiences. The day explored routes into HE, alternative careers that exist around different professions and in the afternoon the pupils made something for a student, along with recapping on what they learned over the course of the day via a flashcard activity. “All the pupils were on task and enjoyed the day. Lots of smiling, happy pupils. Very engaged” (teacher feedback)
National Science Academy Events On April 9th – 10th, forty-seven Year 10 students from Cefn Hengoed Community School, Cwrt Sart Community School and Dylan Thomas Community School attended a two-day activity at Swansea University linked to STEM Careers in Medicine. Over the two days pupils explored careers in medicine that utilise science, technology, engineering and maths in an attempt to show the pupils the potential of the subjects they are now studying, how they can be developed and where they can lead to in the world of work.
Students also looked at animal skull structures
Examining cell structure under a microscope
Workshops included Nano Health, Medicine, DNA, Medical Engineering and Super Viruses. Looking forward, Reaching Wider will be facilitating a Year 12 model on 9th – 11th July, which will include a two-night, three-day residential stay at the Swansea University Campus. Students will explore pathways in Medical Biochemistry, Medical Physics and Medicine. For more information, please contact the Reaching Wider Team.
Students had a chance to learn about CPR
Both programmes are funded by the National Science Academy.
Summer University 2014 The Summer University for 2014 will take place from 14th July to 1st August 2014. Students currently studying in Year 12 for a Level 3 qualification (BTEC or A Level) in South West Wales are eligible to apply. The course is completely free including transport and evening activities. Students attending will study one subject module (this year’s options are Biological Sciences; Business, Marketing and Leisure Management; Computer Science; Creative Arts; Engineering; Health and Social Care; Psychology, Criminology and Law or Art and Design) and also a Skills for HE module Over the three weeks of the course, students will study for a week at UWTSD Townhill campus, UWTSD Carmarthen campus and Swansea University. Students who successfully complete the course will receive a reduction in their UCAS grades when applying for a course at one of these institutions. Further information can be found at http://www.swansea.ac.uk/reaching-wider/year12summeruniversity/
Web: www.swansea.ac.uk/reaching-wider/ Telephone: 01792 602128 Email: reachingwider@swansea.ac.uk