1. Extended Project Qualification
Level 3
Extended Project Qualification
WJEC Entry Code:
Teaching from 2015
INTRODUCTION

2. Slides and course information
Log onto the school website
Find Sixth Form/EPQ/Student resources (blue button)
Save a copy of the first slides. This will be useful for your project.
Complete the starter quiz.

3. Summary of course
Mixture of taught lessons with homework and IT lessons:
Introduction to the EPQ
Decision making: decide format and initial topic
Research: structure of EPQ; how to research effectively (literature review and referencing)
Effective planning and organisation; problem solving
Critical source handling and evaluation; data analysis, selection and synthesis
Writing your project
Getting high marks
Presentation and reflection skills

4. Objectives of today Students should be able to:
Explain briefly what an EPQ involves
Realise the commitment required
Decide whether they will create an artefact or write a dissertation
Start their MOOC
Explain when the first deadline occurs

5. Why should you complete an EPQ?

6. What do you have to do?
Decide on a topic and produce a proposal and title
Make an action plan, with milestones, deadlines and details of what you are going to do, why, how and when
Keep a log: record your progress demonstrating what was learnt from the lessons, how research has been conducted, decisions made and problems solved.
Produce a project outcome: a dissertation or investigation or an artefact
Present your project and review the process

7. What will you learn? How to research effectively
Effective planning and organisation
Problem solving and decision making
Critical source handling and evaluation
Data analysis, selection and synthesis
Presentation and reflection skills

8. Dissertation or artefact?
A dissertation is a written piece of work (maximum 5,000 words) which answers a question. An artefact is a non-written project which aims to answer a question in a creative manner. Note that an artefact still requires a minimum of 1,500 words!
Both a dissertation (written project outcome) and an artefact (non-written project) are equally valid
The best artefacts have clear aims and objectives and are rooted explicitly in research

9. Examples of good artefacts
‘To produce a scale model of a trebuchet for under £100 that is capable of throwing a tennis ball over ten metres.’
‘To manufacture a leather bomber jacket for under £100 using the school laser cutter.’
‘To write and produce a short film on the Syrian refugee crisis aimed at learners of sixth form age.’

10. How do you get high marks?
Most of the marks are for the process NOT the outcome.
You will need to write up how you made decisions and so the activities and homeworks are useful for this!
Later in the course we will look at marks in more detail.
Copy “EPQ Forms Written Project Outcome” and/or “EPQ Forms Non-written Project Outcome” to the O drive. If you don’t know which one it is best to copy the “Written” version first, you can change your mind later. These are saved on the school website under “Admin and forms for the EPQ” and then “Forms”

11. Deadlines
You need to have agreed your project proposal with your supervisor and submitted it to your EPQ teacher by 4pm on Friday 28th September. This means you need to complete EPF1
These must be saved on the O drive.
Mrs Wilson will then check them

12. MOOC (massive open online course)
Log on to
Select “View all course categories” then “Study skills”
Choose either Southampton University “Developing your research project”
OR choose Bath University “How to Succeed in Your EPQ: the Nuts and Bolts of Completing Your Project”.
Start this course now, you should aim to finish it over the next few weeks and you should include the details in your project.

13. Review of the lesson
Fill in the first line on page 12 of the forms on the O drive (EPF2c). You must NOT write the same as anyone else.
Make the box fit (i.e. delete rows if necessary).

14. Self study/homework
Complete the ‘Getting an idea’ sheet and bring to your next EPQ lesson. It is on the school website under Sixth Form/EPQ/Student resources (blue button). This will form part of your project.
Continue with your chosen MOOC, you should complete it over the next three weeks
Read the WJEC Student EPQ guide, saved under “Admin and forms for the EPQ”
Write your name on pages 1, 2 and 5 on your EPQ forms “EPQ Forms Written Project Outcome” and/or “EPQ Forms Non-written Project Outcome” which should be saved on the O drive. Check page 12 too (EPF2c)