RI Masterclass Series in Computer Science

6 different lecturers ranging from industry to education were invited to deliver a theory and practical workshop session on computing to 25 selected Year 9 pupils from across local state secondary schools in the borough of Kingston. Lecturers came from Google, BAE, Cisco & as well as universities. One masterclass on microbits and robotics was run by a 10 year old computing protege: a prospective pupil of the school.

The students were selected by their teachers as those following computing into GCSE and potentially beyond.

The sessions were aimed at inspiring and stretching the students to grasp ideas outside of their regular curriculum.

Sessions ran on Saturday mornings for 2.5 hours.

Aims

To promote scholarship in computer science. And to attract pupils to computing at higher learning.

Background

The Royal Institution approached us to see if we would host/run the sessions.

Resources

Contacts with local schools and perhaps a teacher network (subject based). 25 working computers for students to partake in the sessions if required.

Teaching staff: 2 adults, 6 sessions, 2.5 hours per session.

Impact

Feedback from students and lecturers was very positive. Some have signed up to teach again.

Pupil Involvement

5 schools sent 5 pupils each: 5 independent, 20 from state. Year 9 and mixed gender.

Frequency

A six week series, every Saturday, across a half term. To be repeated annually. Last year, in the spring, this year moving to autumn in order to ignite interest in Y9 before their GCSE options choice in the new year.