The Science Department offer a range of activities to extend our students’ access to and enjoyment of Science, including lunchtime and after school clubs and activities. Some of the projects we are involved in are discussed below – keep an eye on the school website and newsletter for more opportunities throughout the year.

If there is anything else you would like us to offer, please contact us to discuss.

BSW logoBritish Science Week

This is a celebration of the best of British Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths featuring fascinating, entertaining and engaging events that take place across the UK.

The Bicester School held a number of events to celebrate British Science Week in 2016, including lunchtime activities and form time quizzes. We were also very pleased to be joined by students from some of our neighbouring primary schools who took part in our annual science challenges. The next British Science Week will take place between 10 and 19 March 2017 – look out for more information on the events we have planned coming soon!

Go4SET

Enrichment girlsThis is an environmentally themed 10-week project for Key Stage 3 students linking education and industry in real life situations. It uses hands on learning and skills development to support students to excel in science.

Our project in 2016 was run in partnership with Viridor, the company running the Energy Recovery Facility at Ardley. Students were supported through the project by a science teacher in school and a mentor from Viridor, and benefited from a wide range of training opportunities.

Our 2016 Go4SET team produced an outstanding project which involved planning a new eco-garden in the school grounds and implementing a new, cost-effective, recycling policy with the school’s waste management contractor.

The team attended the Celebration and Assessment Day at the University of Westminster in July, along with nine other teams from schools in the London area. They produced a 30 page report on their findings and research, a model of their plans and a display board summarising their findings. During the judging day, they also gave a presentation and were interviewed by the judges about their project.

The Bicester School team won the overall title of ‘best project’ for the London area. The judges particularly complimented their confident presentation skills, their excellent teamwork and report writing ability. The team now hope to continue their project and work towards their plans coming to fruition.

Engineering Education Scheme

Enrichment mainThis is an engineering competition which takes place over six months, where Year 12 students are supported by a mentor from engineering industry. Students are encouraged to show enterprise, creativity and innovation whilst gaining extensive experience of problem-solving, team-working and project management.

In 2015-16, a group of A-Level Physics students took part in the EES, working in partnership with Viridor. Our team carried out a project on the feasibility of using electricity generated at the plant at Ardley as a low-carbon vehicle charging station. They worked regularly with industry experts and specialists to research and produce a very detailed report that was presented at Rutherford Appleton Laboratories in April.

The panel of expert assessors were hugely impressed with our students’ project and they came second overall, with a highly commended award. They also won the student choice award which was voted for by all the other participating schools, a Gold CREST Award from the British Science Association and Gold Industrial Cadet Awards.

Oxfordshire Young Engineer Awards

Following their success in the EES, Frankie Targett and Millie Salt were both nominated for the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Young Engineer Awards. Millie was Highly Commended for her success this year and Frankie was named ‘Best student’ in the 16-18 age group.

Enrichment

Enrichment 2