Free residential course gives sixth-formers a taste of studying science at university
Students inspired by ‘superstar’ teaching academics doing ground-breaking research
Sixth-formers from England and Wales have attended a free two-day residential course at St John’s College to give them an insight into life at the University of Cambridge.
Forty-eight A-level and equivalent students attended the Natural Sciences Residential on 8 and 9 July that included taster lectures, Q&A sessions, supervisions and workshops with academics and guest speakers at St John’s and departments across the collegiate University. The residential was fully funded thanks to alumni donations to St John’s.
The teenagers explored a range of exciting topics from the Natural Sciences undergraduate degrees at Cambridge, which cover ‘Physical’ and ‘Biological’ courses and are unique in the UK for their flexibility and broad scope.
Dr Victoria Harvey, St John’s College Tutor for Undergraduate Admissions, said the aim of the programme was to give the Year 12 students, who will be applying for university through UCAS in October, exposure to all aspects of what it is like to study at Cambridge and live in a College, with all the benefits it provides.
“They’ve had taster lectures and supervisions from some of our superstar academics, who not only teach here but do ground-breaking research. At Cambridge you are taught by people who are at the forefront of science, and that is very exciting,” said Dr Harvey.
“Apply here if you want to, there’s no typical St John’s student, it is attainable”
The students, who come from 45 different schools and colleges from the south-east of England to the north-west and Wales, stayed in undergraduate accommodation in the College’s Cripps Building, and enjoyed meals in the Buttery and visits to other colleges and departments.
Their sessions with College academics included Cell Biology and Genetics, Pharmacology, Physics, Maths for Science, Earth Sciences and Zoology. The group also visited the Institute of Astronomy and Cambridge University Botanic Garden to experience more about life as an undergraduate.
Aaliyah Morrish, who attended the residential from Caerleon Comprehensive School, near Newport in South Wales, and Tom Stanley, from Alleyne’s Academy in Stone, Staffordshire, both felt inspired by the Physics sessions.
“It’s been really good,” said Aaliyah. “The taster lectures have stretched us and I have enjoyed the challenges and learning something new.”
Olivia Mayhew, from Highfields School in Matlock, Derbyshire, enjoyed learning more about mathematical biology, which involves the modelling and analysis of models, cells and organisms. “It gave me a real taste of what studying a course at Cambridge is like.”
Abbey Bonnett, from The Castle School in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, agreed: “It really showed us how maths in biology can be used in the real world.”
The visitors were accompanied by student ambassadors at St John’s to find out about their experiences of life at the collegiate University.
Student ambassador Ben Foster, who has just graduated with a degree in Engineering from St John’s, said he attended a residential course at the College himself as a sixth-former and he wanted to encourage young people to apply to Cambridge who may not have considered it before.
Fellow St John’s graduate Amir Kadkhodaei, who has graduated with a degree in Computer Science this summer, said he wanted to be part of the students’ journey to St John’s. “One of the students asked me about all the good things I like about Cambridge and I talked for ages, but when someone asked me what I didn’t like, I couldn’t think of anything,” he said.
Isabel Watts, a second-year English student at St John’s, recalled seeing an offer-holder visiting the College who said Isabel had inspired them to apply after chatting at an open day. “I want people to know you can apply here if you want to, there’s no typical St John’s student, it is attainable.”
Applications for the residential programme were open to students about to start Year 13 or equivalent who are considering applying to Cambridge and are on track to meet the entry requirements for the Natural Sciences courses at Cambridge. Places were available to UK, EU and international students but priority was given to students from the UK state sector.
Find out more about the Natural Sciences Biological and Physical courses at St John’s.
Published 19/7/2024