University Links

On Tuesday 16 March 2010 the University of Manchester Careers Service once again invited our Year 6 children to spend a day at the university.
The purpose of the visit was to help the children understand a little more about university life and hopefully inspire in them a desire to gain a degree, which often leads to a wider range of career options.
The children were introduced to the work of forensic scientists during a fascinating workshop and had to examine the evidence available to discover the 'murderer'! They had a great day and certainly came away knowing much more about the range of courses and university options available.
These are just some extracts from their thank you letters:
"I am writing to thank you for the brilliant day..our student ambassador was very kind and patient with our group and we were lucky to have her."
"It has inspired me to study at Manchester University when I am older.The university was bigger than I thought and has beautiful buildings too.I loved the CSI because it was fun pretending to solve a crime and finding out about DNA and that we have some the same as a banana!"
"I really enjoyed the trip and some of the things I found out, my parents didn't even know.I do wish I can go to this university when I'm older so I can get a degree and graduate. I found the CSI really fun to do as it was very convincing and interesting."
"We learned a lot from the campus tour because we learned what a student does at Manchester University.We went to the food court and I had pizza like most people and it was very filling.The best part was the workshop and it was a lot of fun finding out who was the killer."
CSI session
Examining the evidence
Learning about student life
University visit
Fingerprinting

Visit to the University 2009
On 23 April 2009 our Year 6 children visited the University of Manchester. We were welcomed by Janet Willis from the University of Manchester Careers Division and Alison Gregory from the Student Recruitment Division who organised the tour and thank them for the very interesting and informative presentation.
We would also like to thank the Student Ambassadors-Rhiannon,Tina, Sarah,Shulian and Helen who took part in the workshop sessions and guided the children on their Campus Trail Quiz around the university buildings.
2009 visit to The University of Manchester
Introduction to the University
On the Campus quiz trail
Lunch at the new Refrectory on Oxford Road was another new experience and one which the children thoroughly enjoyed.
The Refrectory

Visit to the University 2008
Introduction presentation

Following the introductory presentation , the children also took part in a 'really cool workshop'.

Alan Parlane from the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences proved that science can be fun when he encouraged the children to share their knowledge of materials and their properties before showing them how to make ice cream during a hands on workshop.
Science is Fun workshop
Testing the temperature
Time to stir
Ice cream in the making
Selecting colours and flavours
Tasting the ice cream
Choosing flavours and colours proved to be a difficult choice for many but they clearly enjoyed tasting the end product!

The materials question and answer session was also a useful revision excersise for their forthcoming SATs tests - though the children were having so much fun they barely realised they were working.
During their visit the children also viewed halls of residence and recreational facilities at Whitworth Park.One of the wardens, Wayne, answered questions about student life as he showed the children around the campus buildings.
Touring the student accomodation
University building

We have once again been involved with the University of Manchester in their'Higher Futures 4U'project where our Year 5 children take part in workshops to discover their own strengths,how these can be utilised in the workplace and learn about university options.
The whole project has been a huge success, giving the children opportunities to explore life at university and in the world of work as well as being made aware of their own areas of intelligence.
We very much hope that we will be invited to take part again in the next academic year.
2007 group
The Higher Futures4U Project culminates in a mini graduation ceremony and this year it was held at Urbis in Manchester.The children wore a cap and gown and were presented with their certificates for taking part in the project.
Graduate
 Graduation group
Graduation
Proud graduates
 Graduates and certificates
Caps and gowns

As well as the graduation ceremony, the children met staff from Channel M and took part in a mock interview for a new presenter.This activity helped them to look at personal skills an employer would look for when interviewing.
As part of the day we visited the Triangle Shopping Centre and looked at all the different types of retailers there.The children spoke to employees in a variety of shops finding out what their job entailed.
Learning skills for interviews

Earlier in the year the children visited the University of Manchester where they learned all about life at university and took part in a science experiment to extract DNA from an onion.
Learning from the experts
 DNA experiment
Science at work
Test tube samples
 Our junior scientists
Discussing the experiment


Last years mini graduation ceremony with the children dressed in their caps and gowns.
Graduation ceremony
The graduates celebrate
During the ceremony

We can recommend the The University of Manchester childrens website www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk
which is an excellent interactive, online learning resource created especially for Key stage 2 children .



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