www.cs.ox.ac.uk/lookingforward/index.html

Looking Forward: Energy & Environment, Technology, and Health Themed Science Taster Days

Tuesday 6 June 2017: Energy & Environment
Wednesday 7 June 2017: Technology
Thursday 8 June 2017: Health

Bookings are open.

Year 10 female students (14 - 15 year-olds) and their teachers/parents are invited to attend a science-themed taster day at the University of Oxford: giving students a chance to find out how different science disciplines are contributing to today's global challenges. Each day will draw sessions from across the university's science departments, based around a different theme: Health, Technology and Energy & Environment. The days are designed to raise awareness about science at university level, including those subjects not often seen on the school curriculum.
Delegates will:

• meet women (and men) who work in the fields of science, engineering and maths — find out how they're changing the world.
• get a glimpse of life at a top UK university — attend lectures and workshop sessions in a variety of science subjects.
• Do some hands-on science.

Each day is a stand-alone event. The programme will run from 9:30 (for a prompt 10am start) to 15:45. Each day will combine two longer lectures, two plenary sessions from guest speakers, plus the chance to take part in two science workshops. Below are some examples of the types of workshop sessions that students will experience:

• The statistics of clinical trials (Health)
• Healing pictures: medical imaging (Health)
• The mathematics of diseases: an introduction to SIR (Health)
• Superconductors and quantum computers (Technology)
• Mobile robotics (Technology)
• The mathematical art of writing and solving codes: an introduction to cryptography (Technology)
• Energy storage (Environment)
• The mathematics of forest fires (Environment)
• Introducing fusion (Environment)

Audience

This event is open to year 10 female students from UK schools. It is intended for high-performing students with a flair for Maths and science subjects - those intending to take Maths (or even better Further Maths) A-levels (or equivalent) are particularly welcome.
Max. 12 students per school; there is no minimum.
Under 16s need to be accompanied by a parent or teacher.

When and where

Mathematical Institute, Andrew Wiles Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG. 9:30 — 15:45. Booking essential.

FAQs

Can I book for all three days?

Maybe. We suggest that schools only book delegates onto one day, as there will be some overlap between between sessions. Schools are however welcome to book different cohorts of students onto different days. You'll need to fill out a separate booking form for each day. Booking forms will appear below closer to the event.

How much does the taster day cost?

This event is free. Students need to bring their own packed lunches. Attendees will need to organize their own transport to Oxford. (See below).

What should I bring with me?

A packed lunch. (Some refreshments will be available free of charge.) There is a cafe on-site, but this is a large event and the cafe is likely to be very busy, so we strongly suggest that you bring food with you. Something to make notes with would be useful. See the question below on what to wear.

What should I wear?

You do not need to wear a suit or come smartly dressed unless you really want to. Some students will wear their school uniform, whereas others will be much more casual. It is entirely up to you. It is going to be a long day, so the most important thing is that you are comfortable.

We are a college not a school — can our students still take part?

Yes! We don't mind what kind of school or college attendees come from, just as long as it's in the UK and the students are thinking about university applications. We tend to talk about 'schools' when we should say 'schools or colleges' because the word 'college' means something different to us: at Oxford colleges form part of the University. Please don't be offended, or think that we're trying to exclude you.

My child is homeschooled. Can she take part?

Yes! In this instance the booking request form should be filled out by the parent/guardian. Please put "home educated" in the school name box.

We are a UK independent/fee-paying school — can our students still take part?

Yes that's fine. Please book your places below.

Do I need to book a parent/teacher place?

Accompanying teachers/parents: Under 16s need to be accompanied by a parent or teacher throughout the day. Parents/teachers who sign up to the event will follow the same timetable as the student attendees.

Guests: The number of people who can attend this event is limited by the number of seats in our lecture theatres. Therefore, if guests only wish to drop off/pick up your young person (or even just drop in for a coffee with us) there is no need to book a parent place. Parents are of course welcome to attend, but please be aware that if you book a parent place, but decide instead to spend the day shopping/sightseeing in Oxford without telling us in advance, that is a wasted place at the event, that could have been used by a keen young person.

How do I book?

Booking is now closed for this event. Please e-mail lookingforward@cs.ox.ac.uk to be placed on the waiting list.

Do I get to choose which subject workshops I take part in?

Each day there will be sessions contributed from a range of Oxford science departments, including: Maths, Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, Materials, Earth Sciences and Chemistry. Your school will be allocated two workshops from those available on the day. However if you have a really strong preference as to which of the above subject areas your students are most interested in, let us know in one of the free-text boxes of the booking form, and we'll see if we can accommodate your wishes.

Do I get to visit the departments associated with the subject sessions?

The taster day is an insight into the subject areas and students will not get to visit department facilities associated with their subject, other than the Maths Institute. If you'd like to visit the various departments please come to a university open day.

When you say it is a day about "health" you mean medicine, right?

No! You'll find out about ways that scientists from different disciplines help improve human health. You may hear from chemists, statisticians, computer scientists. But we won't be having any sessions from doctors, or anything specifically about medicine. If you know you want to become a doctor, and want to find out about medicine degrees you might find the University's Open Days more useful.

Do I get to hear about how to apply to Oxford University to study?

Not as a formal part of the day. The event will focus on finding out about academic subjects. Information about the applicaiton programme will be available in written form, and on our website. There will be lots of people on hand for you to chat with about any admissions questions you might have. If you want to find out more about applying to do a specific course at Oxford you might prefer to come along to a University Open Day.

How do I get to the venue?

Maps and directions can be found here. We strongly recommended that you use public transport if at all possible. If you do travel by car or minibus, please note that parking in the city centre is very limited. There are several Park & Ride bus services that run from car parks on the outskirts of Oxford. If you are bringing a minibus please note the Council's pages on access for High Sided Vehicles at Park and Rides. You are welcome to drop your students and at least one teacher off at the Mathematical Institute before going to park in a Park & Ride.

Is accommodation available?

Unfortunately we are not able to provide accommodation. If you cannot get to Oxford in one day you may like to consult Oxford Rooms or book accommodation at one of the city's Youth Hostels.

I've got a question — who do I talk to?

Please contact: LookingForward@cs.ox.ac.uk

Please note the organisers reserve the right to change the programme without notification, and to make alterations to the advertised details for the day at short notice.