CAMBRIDGE PROGRAMMES
Science (STEM) Programme
13 Day Course | 26 July – 8 August 2020
The Science (STEM) Programme is an academic programme designed to nurture and promote interest in all scientific disciplines, with a focus on developing scientific skills and experimental work. A STEM Futures Workshop will be offered as part of the ‘careers in science’ day, to introduce students to career opportunities in STEM subjects.
Students will attend laboratories at Sawston Village College on eight mornings.
Lessons are complemented by supervision sessions with mentors, contextual lectures and a series of visits to help students develop an appreciation of science, both globally and within the cultural scientific context of Cambridge.
Programme Details
The first week of the Science (STEM) Programme focuses on the theme of ‘Energy’ as it is encompassed by a range of scientific disciplines. During lessons in each of Biology, Chemistry and Physics, students learn about different scientific areas in which Energy is significant.
- Biology focuses on energy flows within the body, demonstrated through interactive activities and dissections.
- Chemistry lessons focus on electrochemistry and thermochemistry, with experiments on reaction types, fuel yields and circuitry.
- Physics focuses on light energy and energy transfers in circuits. Students explore the role of electromagnetism in industrial contexts.
The second week of the Science Programme focuses on scientific discovery. This consists of open-ended (but guided) scientific investigation, individually or in pairs, with scientific experiments and methodology.
The final morning features an array of practical scientific activities, which previously have included extracting DNA from strawberries in Biology, making an Iodine Clock in Chemistry and learning about Standing Waves in Physics (with aid of a microwave and a chocolate bar!)
COURSE OVERVIEW
Use of Scientific English
- The correct use of Scientific English is a core focus of the programme.
- Students will be encouraged to make contributions in English
- Students will engage with scientific journals, and practice the skill of succinct and accurate record keeping – an essential component of scientific research.
Other Scientific Activities
- Lectures by Cambridge academics act to fuse together the various components of the Science Programme, and encourage students to think widely and deeply.
- Students will participate in a scientific problem solving activity involving forensic analysis.
- Engineering Challenge – students have to design and build a product which will be tested, tendered with specifications with due regard to safety and sustainability.
- Students attend talks on admissions at Oxford and Cambridge, interview and study skills workshops and a chance to think about Science ‘outside the box’ with a careers-fair style evening.
HIGHLIGHTS
Cambridge-Style Lectures
Students attend lectures created by academic staff from the University of Cambridge and other leading institutions.
Visit to Whittle Lab
Engineering lecture and workshop for intermediate and senior level science students.
Visit to the Institute of Astronomy
Lecture on the latest research in Cambridge and view the planets through the University’s telescopes.
Study Skills Workshop
A rigorous workshop to teach students the best ways to approach study and learning going forward.
Interview Techniques
Interactive sessions to help students improve their interview technique, with advice from students and teachers at Cambridge.
Cambridge Admissions Advice
Hints, tips and tricks on how to tailor students’ applications to Oxbridge; from those who have successfully navigated the system.
Cambridge-Style Formal Hall
Students can enjoy a unique and lavish experience: the Cambridge formal hall 3-course dinner, hosted in either Fitzwilliam or Churchill college.
Mentor supervisions and homework
A team of Mentors, each Cambridge students, serve as academic guides and welfare guardians, with each mentor responsible for a group of 4-7 students. Mentors will supervise their students on trips, outside of the classroom and at meal times.
Students will have supervisions timetabled with their mentor in order to consolidate and extend their learning. The Mentor supervisions are spaces in which students will continue their academic learning in a very free and intimate setting, designed to be comparable where possible to the undergraduate supervision system of Cambridge University.
Fees and Registration
2020 Cohort | 26 July – 8 August 2020
Fees
GBP £4,688. This covers:
- Tuition and Teaching Materials
- Accommodation
- All meals, including lunches
- Cost of visits and travel to and from the airport
It does not cover air-fares, travel insurance or pocket money.
Registration
- Admission to the Cambridge Science Programme is for students in Form 1 or Year 7 upwards.
- In some circumstances, we may ask for the applicant to provide a reference from the school and a copy of their latest school report.
- Students from one of our participating schools should apply via their school. (Please follow the School’s own timetable for Applications.)
- For individual applications not linked with our participating schools, please download an Application Form below and return it to us by 15 March 2020.
Ready to get started?
Download an application form, or get in touch