UTC Oxfordshire
Newsletter - 16th July 2021
Dear all,
Our last full week draws to a close and the weekend is set to be fair. We have settled back into a routine and despite students and staff having end of term weariness there is a sense of excitement for the coming week. We have a fabulous end of term series of events planned which we hope will inspire and energise our community.
National Moon Day
National Moon Day on July 20th commemorates the day man first walked on the moon in 1969. NASA reported the moon landing as being “…the single greatest technological achievement of all time.”
On July 20, 1969, Apollo 11 carried the first humans to the moon. Six hours after landing on the moon, American Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface. He spent two and a half hours outside the spacecraft. Buzz Aldrin soon followed, stepping onto the lunar surface. After joining Armstrong, the two men collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material. Their specimens would make the journey back to Earth to be analyzed.
In the command module, a third astronaut waited. Pilot, Michael Collins, remained alone in orbit until Armstrong and Aldrin returned.
Caught up in the thrill of the adventure, millions of Americans watched the mission from Earth. Televisions around the world tuned in to the live broadcasts. The astronauts had a worldwide audience. As a result, all witnessed as Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface and described the event as “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Unquestionably, putting men on the moon became a tangible achievement in the space race. It placed the United States in a role to go forth and explore into the deeper reaches of the universe, too. In the months and decades that followed, NASA and the Soviets stepped up their missions.
The day doesn’t just celebrate the landmark mission. It also celebrates future missions. Private expeditions are taking humans further into space. Armstrong’s “one small step for man” inspired imaginations and sparked innovation, too, for generations to come. Even future moon missions are planned including manned landings.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalMoonDay
National Moon Day opens up a lot of opportunities to explore and reminisce! Did you watch the first moon landing in 1969? How about the ones that followed? Share your memories of the moon landing. Set up your telescope and explore the moon’s surface. You can even explore the surface with a telephoto lens. As you rediscover the moon, start a discussion about space exploration. How does it impact our world today? Study the plans for future moon landings, too. What are your thoughts on more moon exploration?
While you’re celebrating, discover the people behind the moon landing. Share their stories and celebrate their achievements, too. You can also celebrate the day by reading books or watching documentaries about the Apollo 11 mission or those leading up to it:
- In the Shadow of the Moon (2007) directed by David Sington
- First to the Moon: The Journey of Apollo 8 (2018) directed by Paul J. Hildebrant
- One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon by Charles Fishman
- A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts by Andrew Chaikin
- Hidden Figures by Margo Lee Shetterly
Events for the end of term
Lessons as normal
Welcome Event for new year 10's joining us
Tuesday 20th July
Race for life organised by our enterprising year 12's please donate here:
Dress Code: Sports kit
Break will be 10:15 hrs to 10:45hrs with a brunch being served
Final Assembly - face coverings required
Finish time 13:00hrs
Mini- bus will run at this earlier time
Elements café menu
Covid 19 update
One of our local Industry partners appeared on National news this week with respect to Covid: How can x-ray technology help in covid research
There was a fascinating item about the 60 different projects, going on at the Diamond Light Source in Harwell, to search for a way to treat covid-19 using their x-ray beam line. Further information about the Diamond Light Source is available here: https://www.diamond.ac.uk/Public.html
Whilst the government roadmap says that face coverings are no longer required in schools please can you note that they are still required in closed spaces such a taxis and shared cars. It would be helpful for students to have a face covering with them and we will be asking students to wear these during our end of term whole school assembly as we would hate for everyone to have to self-isolate at the start of the summer.
Students are encouraged to continue with lateral flow testing testing over the summer and we will test when we return to school in September
Opportunities
The university of Oxford have two upcoming space-themed events.
We also invite you to follow them on social media. They are on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube (where you can find lots of videos). Links: https://linktr.ee/PhysicsOxford
Frontiers of astrophysics at Oxford
When: Wed 14 July 17:00hs BST
Where: Online – Zoom Webinar
What: From black holes to the cosmic chasm via other Earths, we will be exploring the frontiers of astrophysics at the University of Oxford in this public event. Professors Rob Fender, Pedro Ferreira and Suzanne Aigrain, all from the Astrophysics sub-department, will be talking about their own research and sharing insights into the latest in astrophysics research.
Audience: Family friendly – ages 14+
Booking: Free event. Registration is required for this event; please register here. Zoom details for the event will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed.
More information: Visit https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/frontiers-astrophysics-oxford
The Martian - science fiction and science fact
When: Fri 23 July 17:00hs BST
Where: Online – Zoom Webinar
What: As one of the main consultants on Ridley Scott’s film, The Martian, Dr Jim Green will discuss what NASA’s real plans and challenges are to sending humans to Mars in comparison with this fictional account.
Audience: Family friendly – ages 14+
Booking: Free event. Registration is required for this event; please register here. Zoom details for the event will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed.
More information: Visit https://www.physics.ox.ac.uk/events/martian-science-fiction-and-science-fact
Details of all upcoming events can be found here: https://www2.physics.ox.ac.uk/events
Quantum Detectors Opportunity
Dates for the diary
- 10th August 08:30 to 12:00 Level 3 results year 13 (please see separate email)
- 12th August 08:30 to 12:00hrs GCSE results year 11 (please see separate email)
Looking further ahead:
- Friday 3rd September - Year 10 and 12 first day of Autumn Term
- Monday 6th September - Whole school start of term
- Next year's key dates are available on our website: www.utcoxfordshire.org.uk/term-dates
We hope you have a fabulous summer and remember to stay safe
With good wishes
Sam