1. The Extended Project Qualification An overview for teachers

2. What is the Extended Project Qualification? Part of the education reform programme Created to provide additional stretch and challenge Definition : “offers the opportunity for learners to produce an extended piece of work either in an area that they are already studying or in which they have a particular interest” Delivery of EPQ in centres will involve a taught element plus mentoring, tutorials and access to resources / e- learning materials Option for A level learners but compulsory part of Specialised Diplomas from 2008 Assessed on both process and product

3. EP level 3: aims Specifically designed to aid transition to higher education by stretching and challenging students Also equips them with the research, reflection and independent study skills they will need to succeed at university.

4. Employability skills Students can also gain valuable project management skills that companies are really looking for when recruiting. Indeed the skills of planning, self management of learning, collecting and analysing data, reviewing and evaluating (all needed to do an Extended Project ) will enhance their personal aspirations and career development.

5. What are learners required to do? Select a topic / area of interest Identify and draft aims of their project and justify their choices of project Plan, research and carry out their project Provide evidence of all stages of the project Deliver a presentation to a specified audience

6. EP level 3-AOs MANAGE : -Identify, design, plan and complete the task -apply organisational skills and strategies USE RESOURCES -Obtain and select information -Use a range of sources -Analyse data -Demonstrate any connections

7. AOs (continue) DEVELOP AND REALISE -Use a range of skills including new technologies -Solve problems -Take decisions -Achieve planned outcomes REVIEW -Evaluate outcomes -Evaluate your own learning and performance -Use a range of communication skills and media to present outcomes and conclusions

8. Emphasis on skills 60% assessed on process 40% assessed on product Skills are what universities and employers are looking for and what some students lack. The EPQ’s emphasis on skills should prepare them better for the future.

9. Scheme of work Click on the following link to see the SOW I created for the EPQ pilot

10. Project titles : case studies Student A studying HSC. Wants to do something on alcohol Ideas of project titles?

11. Case study A : first meeting with mentor Title : Alcohol (too vague) Age group? to define Purpose of project : who is it designed for? Who is going to benefit from your research? Format of presentation? Format of project?

12. Case study A : ideas Alcohol abuse by teenagers : reasons and consequences on health. Social / economic factors involved. Project : get a better understanding on reasons why teenagers drink, what is binge drinking and its consequences on teenagers so that you could inform NHS, school for PSHE programme in order to make people more aware. Drama production to educate teenagers on the effects and consequences of alcohol abuse? Audience : teenagers / primary school children / specialised staff Format : video, webpage linked to school website, ppt presented in Assembly, leaflet, play...

13. Ideas of projects from students at Hillview Child abuse : what do children know and how to make them aware of it A reflection on bullying, its effects and how it is dealt with in schools from a student’s perspective An exploration of individuality and how people react when faced with difficult situation. Use of drama Cystic fibrosis : what do we know about the illness and its possible cures? A day in the life of a Cystic fibrosis sufferer Jack the riper period of time in London and effects on modern day crime? Creating a website to beat bullying and make students / teachers aware of it Fostering and adoption. What is it like for kids who have been through this? Is it the best system we can have? Binge drinking: do 15-20 year olds understand its consequences and long-term health effects? Charity website to help raise awareness for a village in Madagascar Developing a rail gun project Do young people aged 16-24 understand and appreciate the long-term effects of contracting a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia? Scouting : past and present. What future?

14. Taught element There are quite a lot of resources available on teaching skills especially any resources that are business-orientated or resources created by universities I found a lot of information on the internet and adapted the information to the Extended Project Practical activities may need to be created by teachers as at the moment, there isn’t any text book to support the teaching of the Extended Project

15. Mentoring sessions Can be held as regularly as necessary for the student Mentors do not have to be subject- specialists Mentors act as supervisors and guide students but do NOT spoon-feed them. Students need to take risks, make decisions and solve problems by themselves

16. In the newspapers! Click on the following link to see an article from The Independent

17. Exam boards EDEXCEL : http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/extend edproject/pilot/ http://developments.edexcel.org.uk/extend edproject/pilot/ AQA : http://www.aqa.org.uk/over/extendedproje ct.php http://www.aqa.org.uk/over/extendedproje ct.php OCR : http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/project s/extended_project/index.html http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/project s/extended_project/index.html