Oxford forOxford Guide

May 2019 - 2020

Secondary School Edition

The University on your doorstep.Did you know that the University of Oxford offers a wide selection of experiences,

workshops and school visits for secondary aged children, many of which are free?

The Oxford for Oxford project was established by the University’s outreach team

because we think it’s important that Oxford city students are able to make the most of the

resources that are local to them. There are marvellous museums, spectacular science days

and wild woodlands that are just waiting to be discovered.

We realise that planning a visit takes time spare time and energy; something that many

teachers simply don’t have. That’s why we’ve created this guide. It gives you an overview of

the activities on offer, with practical information about timings, facilities and costs.

Access extra details at a glance by using the key. If you see something you like, follow the

weblinks to make a booking.

Hands-on

Tour

Free self-guided trail option

Lunch facilities on site

Extra content online

Outdoor

Classroom visit

Online risk assessment

Key to symbols

Year 7 STEM Spelling BeeChemistry Teaching Lab

The study of science often involves learning a dizzying array of new words. STEM Spelling Bee gives students the opportunity to practise spelling and using scientific terms whilst also having fun. Anyone can take part and word lists are available to download from the chemistry outreach website.

outreach.chem.ox.ac.uk 20 June. 4pm-6.30pm. 3 spellers per school. FREE

Summer Term

Practical NanoscienceBegbroke Science Park

What is nanoscience? And how does research drive new nanotechnologies? Explore these ideas and more at Begbroke’s free event. The day is fully hands-on with practical experiments that will engage and inspire.

www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk/events 12 June. 9.30-12pm. Max group size 8. FREE

KS3 Multi School Learning DayBalliol College

Tour the college, take part in a taster modern language session and find out about Oxplore - the home of big questions. Lunch is provided and there is also the option of a free museum visit, although this must be requested at the time of booking.

www.balliol.ox.ac.uk 4, 12, 26 June. 10am-3pm. FREE

Celebrating Asian LanguagesFaculty of Oriental Studies

If your students are interested in language learning why not bring them to the Asian Languages Exploration Day. The event is free and features cultural workshops, Q&As and language taster sessions in Arabic, Korean, Japanese, Persian and Chinese.

bit.ly/oxasianlanguages 25 May. 10.30am-4pm. FREE

Autumn Term

French & Spanish Flash Fiction CompetitionOnline

Students in years 7-11 can enter a short story of 100 words or fewer on a topic of their choice. The story should be written in either French or Spanish. Entries will be judged on imagination and creativity, as well as linguistic ability. There are also cash prizes up for grabs.

www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/schools December 2019-March 2020. FREE

Marie CuriousDepartment of Physics, Keble Road

‘Marie Curious’ is all about building confidence in girls with an interest in science. The practical workshops cover technology, engineering, science and maths, and are led by female role-models from across these fields.

www.physics.ox.ac.uk/about-us/outreach Event date February, apply by Jan 2020. FREE

BEBRAS Computing ChallengeOnline

The BEBRAS competition challenges your students to take on fun and engaging computer science problems. How many can they solve in the allotted time? If your school doesn’t currently take part, you can register for free before 31st October at:

www.bebras.uk 4-15 November 2019. FREE

Art at the ArboretumHarcourt Arboretum

Capture the autumn colour of the leaves with pens, paints and pencils. A guide will show your group the best places to work, then you’re free to explore the collection for up to two hours. A longer introduction can be arranged by request.

www.obga.ox.ac.uk April-November, 2 hrs. Max group size 32. £100

Oxford German OlympiadOnline

The Olympiad combines the exploration of German culture and literature with the challenge of writing in German. Students compete with their peers to complete a series of tasks tied to an overall theme. There are fantastic prizes to be won in each category.

www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/schools Event starts February, apply by Jan 2020. FREE

Innovation ShowcaseBegbroke Science Park

Are your Year 9s budding science or technology entrepreneurs? At the Innovation Showcase they’ll have the chance to develop their skills. Working in teams, they’ll turn their ideas into commercial products, before making a pitch to win the coveted Innovation Award.

www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk/events 11 March 2020. Max group size 8. FREE

Spring Term

It All Adds UpMaths Institute, Andrew Wiles Building

In 2018, girls accounted for just 39% of all maths A-levels. It All Adds Up is a 3 day conference that aims to challenge that statistic by offering mathematical workshops, lectures and inspiration to girls in years 9-11.

bit.ly/oxford-maths-outreach 15 Jan 2020. Max group size 12. FREE

The Salters Chemistry CompetitionDepartment of Chemistry

Competing in teams of four, students in years 7-9 go head to head with groups from other schools to complete practical challenges. Prizes will be awarded to the winning teams and everyone receives a prize and a certificate for taking part.

outreach.chem.ox.ac.uk March 2020. One team of 4 per school. FREE

Stuck for ideas? Give one of these workshops a try.

Creative Sparks: How Electricity BeganHistory of Science Museum

It’s the eighteenth century. Benjamin Franklin has just invented the lightning conductor, electrostatic demonstrations are must-see entertainment and your group has a front row seat. Experience what it was really like to live during the birth of electricity.

www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/secondary-and-post-16 Max group size 35. £100

The Colour of NatureOxford University Museum of Natural History

In the natural world, creatures use colour to communicate and survive. This workshop asks students to think about the physics of colour - what it really is and how it’s measured – as well as the biological aspects of adaptation and production.

oumnh.ox.ac.uk/secondary-schools Max group size 32. £100

Collections Up CloseOld Bodleian Library

Create a bespoke experience at one of the oldest libraries in Europe. Choose your theme and let the Bodleian handpick a selection of rare books, manuscripts and archive material for your group to view.

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Max group size 15. £100

Printing WorkshopBodleian Weston Library

Discover how much skill and effort it took to create a printed book hundreds of years ago. Get to grips with letterpress equipment and work together to create personalised prints that you can take home and keep.

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk Max group size 15. £100

People, Plants and Places

Botanic GardenEncourage your students to think about where food is grown and how far it travels to reach their plates. They’ll see first-hand what a rainforest ecosystem is like and learn about the effect that humans have on the things that live there.

www.obga.ox.ac.uk Max group size 32. £100

Trinity College Experience DayTrinity College

Trinity is Oxfordshire’s official link college and they’re keen to show your group what university is all about. Visits include workshops aimed at raising aspirations, a college tour and lunch. There’s also an opportunity to take part in a free taught session at one of the University’s museums.

www.trinity.ox.ac.uk/schools-outreach/ Max group size 32. FREE

Javanese GamelanThe Bate Collection

Discover a new musical style at one of the largest collections of musical instruments in Britain. The gamelan is a traditional Javanese percussion ensemble, featuring drums, gongs and xylophones. Anybody can do it, so coordinate, concentrate and have fun!

www.bate.ox.ac.uk Max group size 20. £120

Creative WritingAshmolean Museum

An image or an object can fire the imagination. Using the paintings and treasures of the Ashmolean as inspiration, your group will be encouraged to develop their writing skills and be guided through activities which help them bring characters and fictional worlds to life.

www.ashmolean.org/secondary-schools Max group size 32. £100

The Age of the EarthOxford University Museum of Natural History

We take it for granted that the Earth is millions of years old, but have you ever wondered how we know this? Find out by becoming a scientist for the day, exploring geological time, handling specimens and finding evidence of the events and processeses that shaped the Earth.

oumnh.ox.ac.uk/secondary-schools Max group size 32. £100

Investigating Materials using ChocolateDepartment of Materials Science

How do you make the ultimate chocolate bar? With science! Explore the properties of materials through the medium of chocolate. Investigate density, hardness and fracture energy, and ponder the microstructure of materials (whilst trying not to snack!).

www.materials.ox.ac.uk/admissions.html Year 8 upwards. FREE

Medicine through Time: Surgery and AnatomyHistory of Science Museum

17th century medicine was experimental, risky and often gruesome! This tour sheds light on early experimentation on the body, with dramatic spoken word accounts and the chance to view historical surgical instruments up close.

www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/secondary-and-post-16 Max group size 35. £100

Secondary Photography WorkshopPitt Rivers Museum

Take this opportunity to view the museum’s extraordinary collections through a lens. Learn about photographic techniques both old and new, then get creative with theme and composition in the galleries.

www.prm.ox.ac.uk/art-learning-resources Max group size 32. £100

Everyday Life in Ancient RomeAshmolean Museum

Do as the Romans do in this practical taught session. Your students will search the galleries for clues about what the Romans built, ate, worshipped and traded. They’ll also get to handle ancient artefacts and use them to explore the growth of the empire.

www.ashmolean.org/secondary-schools Max group size 32. £100

We’ve given you a taste of what the University of Oxford has to offer,

but that’s not all. Many of the departments and museums can organise

bespoke workshops and experiences to meet your pupils’ needs.

Contact details for departmental and college outreach officers can be found by

following the weblinks in this guide.

If you have an idea for a new event, or there’s a particular workshop that you’d

like us to offer, send your suggestions to:

oxfordforoxford@admin.ox.ac.uk

Want more? To keep up with the very latest events for schools and teachers visit

the University’s Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach events calendar at:

www.ox.ac.uk/outreachevents

Many thanks to the Hamilton Trust, whose generous donation made this leaflet possible.

www.hamilton-trust.org.uk

All information is correct at the time of going to press but is subject to change without notice. Always check with the organiser of the event before travelling.

Illustations by Sam OsborneWritten and designed by Stephanie Cater