UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter – 10th February 2023
Dear all,
We’ve squeezed a lot in to the last week of term, including a trip to Oxford Crown Court, an open event for prospective students starting year 10 or year 12 from September and the launch of an ELP project with Crown Packaging.
It feels like spring is in the air and we are looking forward to next term when we will be holding Progress Consultation Evenings for all year groups, dates below and details to follow after half term.
We hope those students heading off to Italy for the half term ski trip have a fantastic time.
Women & Girls in Science Day – 11 February
International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 allows us to honor women’s significant achievements in science and place a much-needed focus on girls entering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.
This day allows us to recognize the role women and girls already play in science, promote the idea of STEM careers to future generations of women, and educate men on their role in encouraging and mentoring women and girls in schools and the workplace to pursue their technical and scientific passions.
Now is the time to bring women into their full potential within these fields and to see how their contributions can impact the world.
5 WOMEN IN SCIENCE YOU SHOULD KNOW
- Katherine Johnson - From Hidden Figures fame, Johnson was a mathematician calculating orbital mechanics for NASA and was critical to the first crewed spaceflight.
- Lillian Gilbreth - Considered to be the first industrial/organizational psychologist and “America’s first lady of engineering”, Gilbreth was also one of the first American female engineers to earn a Ph.D. and the first female engineering professor at Purdue University.
- Ruth Benerito - Ruth Benerito was an American chemist and inventor who held 55 patents; her most notable invention was wash and wear cotton fabrics.
- Edith Clarke - During her career with General Electric in the 1920s, Clarke became the first American woman professionally employed as an electrical engineer as well as the first female electrical engineering professor in the country.
- Rachel Carson - Carson’s book, Silent Spring, brought attention to the use of pesticides in America which led to changes in our pesticide policies and, through enhanced conservationism, ultimately led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Celebrating Valentine’s Day, the Science Way
Visit to Bath University with Industrial Cadets
Industrial Cadets is a nationwide, high quality, employer led outreach programme run by the Engineering Development Trust, and supported by King Charles, to help students work with engineering employers on real world challenge projects. For the Gold Award, students must work in a team to complete at least 50 hours of academic and practical engineering work supported by a local employer. Six of our year 12 students are working with our aerospace partner employer Reaction Engines to design and build a heat exchanger made with microtubules of less than 1mm in diameter. This is a technically challenging project which the students are managing themselves, along with weekly support meeting with the mentors from Reaction Engines.
As part of a national competition in engineering, five A level and engineering students from year 12 attended a two day workshop at Bath University along with two mentors from Reaction Engines. This was an excellent opportunity to spend two days making progress with the technical difficulties of the project as well as experiencing a little bit of university life.
Our thanks go to Bath University for hosting, Reaction Engines for mentoring and to the students Charlotte, Floyd, Hannah, Maddie and Thomas for their enthusiasm and professional behaviour.
More information about Industrial Cadets can be found here: https://www.etrust.org.uk/industrial-cadets
More information about the innovative aerospace research being carried of at Reaction Engines can be found here: https://reactionengines.co.uk/
Thomas drilling holes for the microtubules
Hannah experimenting with adhesive to glue the microbtubules into place
Floyd and Thomas marking out their grid to try drilling tiny holes for the microtubules
Attendance
We are still seeing a high level of absence due to illness and whilst we appreciate that this may be as a result of more seasonal infections, we would like your support to enable students to manage their symptoms by using paracetamol (which can be carried in their bag) and other over the counter medicines. It is well known that symptoms are worse first thing in the morning and in the evening, so please encourage your student to attend if they are well enough.
If students are suffering from a fever or are acutely unwell then they should remain at home but please do send them in once they are in the recovery phase.
Your student’s Head of Year, tutor or I will be in touch with you about frequent absence due to illness. A referral to the School Health Nurse may be considered. Thank you for your support - Paula Ramsbottom, Attendance Officer
Degree apprenticeship success
Huge congratulations to Archie who is the first of the current Y13 students to be offered a degree apprenticeship. Archie will be starting a Business Degree Apprenticeship with a local company, Outside Ideas, who are very keen for him to start working for them. By taking the degree apprenticeship route, Archie will avoid a big student debt, learn in the workplace from industry professionals and gain several years of work experience - all of which will make him very employable in the future.
Archie has been extremely proactive in applying for degree apprenticeships and we are delighted for him.
PPE Exam Timetable
Our year 11s and Year 13s will be sitting PPE exams in March. The timetable can be found here: PPE Timetable – March 2023
Apprenticeships vs University: Which Option is Best For You?
Whether you’ve already applied for university or you’re thinking about an apprenticeship – there is some useful information here to help break it down and compare the two: https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/advice/apprenticeships-vs-university
Extra-Curricular Opportunities
Virtual Insight Event with BT - Mon 13 Feb 2023 | 14:00-16:00
Interested in working in tech, sales, or project management?
Then attend this virtual insight event with BT during February half term. Throughout the event you will get to hear about the apprenticeships available, network with industry professionals during a speed meet session, and hear from current apprentices.
Sign up for free: https://pathwayctm.com/event/virtual-insight-event-with-bt/
Diamond Light Source Virtual Open Evenings
Tuesday 21st February, 5.30pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-diamond-experience-apprenticeship-open-evening-tickets-517393536997
Thursday 23rd February, 5.30pm
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-diamond-experience-apprenticeship-open-evening-tickets-517428070287
Royal College of Nursing Cadet Scheme
Develop your life skills, grow in confidence and understand what it means to work in nursing and health care.
The programme is ideal for anybody wanting to have a career in Health and Social care and is suitable for aspiring and committed students who want to progress to Nursing, paramedic, pharmacy, Healthcare Science, Medicine, etc.
There is 100 hours of teaching and 20 hours of observational placements (similar to work experience). The teaching will happen in 1st week of Easter break 3-6th April. (Oxford Brookes site). Placements possibly to be during 29 May - 2 June half term or could be during the work experience week of the student if it suits the employer. More information can be found here: Royal College of Nursing Cadet Scheme
Aerospace Engineering (Non-Residential)
If you’re exploring a career in aerospace engineering, this course will give you an insight into modern aircraft design and help your ambitions take flight. More information here: Small Piece Trust - Aerospace Experience
Work Experience at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)
Each year at STFC, run a highly successful work experience scheme for Year 10, 11. 12 and 13 students at schools based in the UK. For the summer 2023 programme, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) work experience team will be delivering on-site work experience provision for young people. More information can be found here: https://stfc-workexperience.co.uk/applyral2023/
HSBC's Work Experience programme
This opportunity is available for all students in Year 9-13 and nationwide. The Work Experience programme will allow students to gain real life hands-on experience of the world of work, develop a deeper understanding of the finance industry and receive some recruitment tips to help them in the future! More details can be found here: HSBC Work Experience
Uncover Engineering at Oxford University
The Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford are looking for Year 10 students who are creative, inventive, and curious about the world around them.
Does that sound like you?
If you've got an interest in solving problems with an innovative style, their Uncover Engineering free residential programmes this April will help explore this further.
Staying at an Oxford College, Uncover Engineering is designed to give Year 10 students a taste of engineering at Oxford.There are 2 Uncover courses running in 2023: for Black Students, 29 March - 1 April; and for Female and Non-Binary Students, 2-5 April.
Find out more and apply at: www.eng.ox.ac.uk/uncover
Deadline for applications: 11pm, Monday 13 February 2023
All-Expenses Paid Science Trip to Grenoble, France for Year 12 Female Students
This amazing trip offers tours of the facilities, the opportunity to meet amazing scientists who live and work in Grenoble and also a little bit of sightseeing in this beautiful French city.
There are sixteen places available, applications are welcome from Year 12 UK Physics and STEM students who identify as female.
For more information on the competition and how to apply visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/xmas/impact/outreach/xmas_scientist_experienceb/se2023/
The closing date is the end of Sunday 26th February 2023Visit to Williams F1 - 14th February 2023
The Williams F1 team will be testing their cars at MOD Lyneham runway on 14 Feb 23, along with their engineers and mechanics and we have been invited to attend. Students will have to make their own way to and from the event and will need their lanyards for access.
0900: Student Arrival
1000: Meet the F1 Team
1015: WF1 Radio Check
1030: Install ‘lap’
1100: 1st run
1200: Lunch time at the museum
1300: REME Museum for Rocket Car building with Soldiers. (mechano type)
1500: Depart no later than
Pack warm! Please bring a packed lunch.
Address: The Prince Philip Barracks, MOD Lyneham, CHIPPENHAM, Wiltshire, SN15 4XX
Elements Café
Dates for the diary
- 13 February – 17 February 2023 - Half Term
- Wednesday 1st March – Year 12 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 8th March – Year 10 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 22nd March – Year 13 Progress Consultation Evening
- Wednesday 29th March – Year 11 Progress Consultation Evening
- Monday 8th May 2023 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday in celebration of the coronation of King Charles
- Monday 15th May up to and including Wednesday 28th June 2023 - Year 11 and Year 13 Exam Period
Term dates for 2022 to 2023
- Spring Term 1: Thursday 5 January 2023 – Friday 10 February 2023
- Spring Term 2: Monday 20 February 2023 – Friday 31 March 2023
- Summer Term 1: Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Friday 26 May 2023
- Summer Term 2: Monday 5 June 2023 – Friday 21 July 2023
Further details can be found on our website: https://www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates/
We hope you enjoy the half term break.
Stay safe
Best wishes
Emma