(with option of EPQ) EPQ ENGINEERING Level 3 Extended Project Qualification – worth up to 28 UCAS points (equivalent to an AS level). Careers Course Outline Careers Course Outline The EPQ Course provides an exciting opportunity for An EPQ will help students to develop an Engineering is a fantastic blend of theoretical knowledge This is an excellent option for students students to go on a research journey. They will set invaluable range of extra study skills, and practical skills. It takes concepts learned in subjects who are considering a career in themselves a challenging question and pursue their enabling them to prepare for both the such as Physics, Computing and Mathematics and applies engineering of any description – whether own path to answer it. This can be a written academic demands of university work as well as future them to physical projects that will also develop design and that is through a higher education course essay or a practical product they make. The course employment. It is highly valued by higher problem-solving skills. at University, or through an involves both a taught skills element and extended education institutions, as it demonstrates a apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship. autonomous work by the students. The students are dedication to independent learning and is This is not a formal qualification, but will allow students to allocated an EPQ supervisor who meets with them at often included in offers made by institutions. build up an “engineering portfolio” to showcase themselves regular intervals to guide and supervise them with the It is also particularly useful for students who when applying for engineering courses or apprenticeships progress of their projects. opt for an EPQ project related to an area of (including degree apprenticeships). Students will also have future study, to help to substantiate evidence the option to complete a practical Extended Project Subject Specific Entry The taught skills lessons take place throughout Year 12 for their interest in a specific degree course. Qualification (EPQ) based on one of their projects, as well as and focus on developing students’ ability in and potentially gaining Industrial Gold Cadets accreditation. It Requirements understanding of the following areas: will take up six lessons per fortnight, so should be taken alongside three other A-Level subjects (it will not be feasible Super-Curriculum Research skills including the ability to search for and 6 or equivalent in GCSE Physics or 6-6 in for students wishing to take four other traditional A-Levels identify suitable academic sources of information Combined Science or minimum Grade 6 Access to home learning opportunities due to time constraints). Skills/techniques that will be required for the safe in GCSE Computing. (EPQ online courses on futurelearn.com) and effective execution of the project Outside speakers (University talks on In addition to the theory and skills taught in lessons, some of ICT skills that will enhance the production and/or If you are not taking A-Level/AS/Core benefits of EPQ) the projects that students can get involved in include: development of the extended project report Mathematics you must also have Opportunity to access university and Project management skills achieved a minimum of a 6 in GCSE academic libraries to read cutting edge The format and structure of accepted academic Mathematics. research Greenpower challenge: students build and race an electric forms of research report powered kit car! As part of this project, students will identify Referencing, the evaluation of sources and the some area in which the standard design can be improved, prevention of plagiarism and complete a project based around this, and Presentation skills implementing it into the car to improve performance, Subject Specific before trying it out at race days. Contact Assessment is either in the form of a written academic Entry Requirements report of 5,000 words or by creating an “artefact”, such EDT Engineering Project*: students are partnered with a Mr J Schofield, as a piece of art, accompanied by a short report local engineering company to come up with an engineering 6 grades at 6 or equivalent. [email protected] explaining how their research determined their decision solution to a real-world problem set by our mentors. For the Mr M Waller, [email protected] making. Every student is also required to complete a past three years we have been partnered with Mira production log, which outlines their project plans, their Showers, and worked on projects relating to shower use, management and progress of the project and how they Contact encouraging greater use of reusable menstrual cups, and acted on the advice and support from their supervisors. reducing water wasted in the home. Mrs M Frampton, EPQ Coordinator Students have to reflect on each stage they undertake [email protected] whilst completing their projects and consider possible *In order to be formally entered into the EDT project and ways to improve. The final component of the EPQ is an gain Industrial Gold Cadets accreditation there is a cost of oral presentation, which also involves answering around £70-£80 per student – this includes all associated questions from an invited audience at the end to test costs for the whole year, including visits and links with our understanding. mentors, as well as a two-day University workshop and residential to work on their project. https://www.etrust.org.uk/ic-gold-readmore Everyday Engineering: this is a national competition introduced by the Royal Academy of Engineering to “find the UK’s kitchen table engineers – people with ideas and innovations that could make or are making our daily lives more sustainable.” https://raeng.org.uk/ned-competition 14 15