Subject events (2016-17)

As a partner of the First-Generation Scholars scheme, you can choose from a range of activities tailored to your pupils’ ages and interests.

Information, advice and guidance

  • Multi-Subject Taster Day, Year 7 and Year 8, 9 May 2017

    A very popular event that offers students the opportunity to take part in mini-taster sessions in two or three subject areas.

    The day provides a chance for students to try out subjects they may not have considered before, or to have a university-style taster in one of their favourite subjects.

    The sessions are led by academic staff and supported by current Sussex students, with opportunities for students to ask questions from our current undergraduates, helping to inform their decision when it comes to further education and university options.

  • Residential Summer Schools Year 10 and Year 12

    We offer residential Summer Schools for year 10 and 12 students – an exciting mix of academic study, sports and social activities, information, advice and guidance and the opportunity to experience student life on campus and stay in student accommodation.

    The summer schools can help students to make informed choices about their future and are delivered by academics and supported by current students.

    They are free of charge and places are limited so students should be encouraged to apply as early as possible.

    Find out more about our summer schools.

  • Making Choices, Year 9 Programme

    Making Choices is an academic programme for Year 8/9 students which helps support GCSE and future choices.

    For 2016/17 we have eight schools taking part. Each student will take part in a Welcome Day, followed by three academic subject days in a ‘strand’ (Humanities, STEM, social sciences, arts). There will also be a graduation ceremony to which parents, carers and teachers are invited.

Science, technology, engineering and maths

  • Biotechnology, 21 June

    Providing a practical insight into the study of Biotechnology and its associated career pathways students will:

    • interact with scientists in working labs
    • get hands-on experience of how to look after and grow mammalian cells
    • hear from researchers about their career pathway into Biotechnology.

    This activity day is suitable for A level Biology or Chemistry students.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 10 and lunch will be provided.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Pharmacy, 20 June

    This experience provides a practical insight into the study of Pharmacy at university and how A levels in Biology and Chemistry can be applied to studying a professional pharmacy course.

    During the day students will interact with scientists and rotate through a series of activities, exploring aspects of Pharmacy practice such as:

    • the formulation of medicines
    • the practice of clinical skills
    • patient assessment.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (they must be the first person in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 10 and lunch will be provided.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Stargazing Live, Year 7-9

    An annual event run by our physics department here at the University of Sussex, the day consists of astronomical activities to coincide with Stargazing Live, a programme aired yearly on the BBC.

    Every year there are fun, interactive lectures and activities including:

    • Beyond Invisible – how astronomers use different types of light to work out what the universe is doing
    • exploring nuclear fusion with Lego
    • exploring the solar system with inflatable planets
    • a planetarium show where students learn how astronomers use the electromagnetic spectrum, the most powerful telescopes on Earth and in space
    • play Guess The Gas
    • a guide to using the university's telescopes and what can be seen in the night sky.

    The day will provide an insight into studying a STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) subject at university, as well as experience of being an astronomer. Students get to find out about the university's research, including exploring the cool universe (the matter between stars) and an astronomer question session.

    This year's event took place in January 2017. Check back for future dates.

  • Physics GCSE taster days, Year 9 and 10

    Physics GCSE taster days are half-day events at the University of Sussex campus for Year 9 and 10 students.

    The two-hour hands-on experiment sessions cover topics including energy use, energy generation, radioactivity and the electromagnetic spectrum, before ending with an interactive quiz.

    You can book a Physics taster session.

  • Particle Physics masterclass, Year 10

    One of the key research strengths of the University of Sussex is particle physics (experimental and theoretical) and this is reflected in our outreach offer.

    Staff members from the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences offer days for Year 10 and 12 students, where students can immerse themselves in the world of particle physics and try out some of our experiments for themselves.

    You can book a particle physics masterclass.

  • Computers, Brains and Social Media , Year 10, 10-12 May 2017

    Informative and interactive workshop allowing students to explore simple programming, data processing, physical computing, networking and experience complex systems. Students will take part in two workshops led by academics and supported by current students.

  • A-level Maths Day, Year 12/13 7 December

    This event offers a practical insight into studying mathematics at university, the types of skills involved and the potential careers it can lead to.

    Students may be interested in career areas such as finance, statistics and actuarial work, further study or teaching.  This one-day workshop will include activities like 'the mathematics of Googel and Penrose Tilings'.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings)

    The maximum group size is 10 and lunch will be provided.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Chemistry Experience Days, Year 12, 13 and 14 June

    It is a fantastic opportunity for your students to gain practical hands-on experience of Chemistry techniques like Geometrical Isomerisation and Mass Spectrometry, as well as learning from current students about Chemistry degrees at Sussex.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 20 and lunch will be provided.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Biology Experience Day, Year 12, 22 June

    It is a fantastic opportunity for your students to gain practical hands-on experience of biology at university level led by academics, as well as learning from current students about biology degrees at Sussex.

    Previous activities have included a visit to the University’s Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects, a workshop on the eyes and brains, learning about conservation ecology and biology and life science careers.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 20 and lunch will be provided.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Design a Racing Car, Year 10

    This is an exciting workshop where students get to work with the University of Sussex’s Mobil 1 racing car team.

    After a short introduction from the team, students will use Solidworks design software to create part of a racing car and receive a tour of the engineering facilities. This will offer a step-by-step look at the design of racing cars.

    This event supports key GCSE design skills including: designing products to meeting customer needs, understanding design principles, use of CAD and CAM, understanding the advantages of working in a team when designing products and devising and applying test procedures to check the quality of their work at critical points during development.

Humanities and arts

  • Media: Documentary Making, Year 10, 25 May

    A practical workshop designed to introduce some of the principles of documentary video production.

    Students will look at practical examples of different ways to film documentary and be introduced to some of the ethnical issues regarding documentary 'truth'.

    They will then be taught by an experienced film maker how to use DSLR cameras for documentary video production.

    Students will discuss and practice interview technique including questioning as well as camera position, eyeline, framing, lighting and sound.

    In groups, students will film a short interview with cutaways to produce a 30-second documentary. These will be edited and screened by the end of the day.

    Students will learn about: documentary camera work, interview technique, developing ideas, documentary production, ethics, sound and shooting for the edit

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 15

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Architecture as Art, Year 10, 7 June 2017

    A workshop for Year 10 students focusing on the art of architecture by actively comparing two local buildings built in different centuries.

    Led by academics from the University of Sussex’s Art History department, the workshop explores the Royal Pavilion estate, where students will analyse the surrounding gardens and examine its Oriental Regency interiors.

    This is followed by an opportunity to examine the contrasting architecture of the University of Sussex, exploring the function and design of Sir Basil Spence’s 1960s campus.

    This event will support curriculum topics in Art & Design and History.

  • Media: Filming Fiction, Year 10, 22, 24 and 25 May 2017

    A practical course designed to introduce some of the principles of narrative video production.

    Students will cover some cinematic theory: including the 180 degree rule of action, depth of field, composition and shot sizes.

    Using video examples, an experienced film maker will then show students how to use DSLR cameras for video production.

    Students will work in groups to produce a short non dialogue film that will be edited and shown.

    Students will learn about storyboarding, working with actors, directing, cinematography, shooting for the edit, as well as team work and communication skills.

  • Middle East and North Africa Day, Year 12/13

    This day is aimed at students currently studying film, history or media.

    The day will run in two separate sessions through a series of university style lectures and will provide increased awareness of History or Film Studies as a single or combined degree options and related careers.

    History Session – British Imperial Retreat 1914-1967. This session will deepen your students' understanding and analysis of change, continuity, cause and consequence in British Imperialism and representation and stereotyping

    Film Session – Global Cinema: Representing the Middle East and North Africa. This session will help to develop critical understanding with textual analysis of contemporary English language film texts.

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings). The maximum group size is 20.

    To book, email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Amercian Studies Day – American Rhetoric and the US Election, Thursday 24 November, 1 December, 6 December 2016

    This workshop will provide an insight into studying American Studies at university. 

    Students will look at the idea of rhetoric in relation to the topical 2016 election. It will be of interest to students in history, literature and politics.

    Students will participate in a university-style seminar led by academics and look at speeches made by American politicians from the Revolution to the present day.

    This will include famous speeches by Abraham Lincoln and Hilary Clinton and will have a particular focus on African-American speakers such as Frederick Douglass and President Barack Obama.

     Max group size 10 Year 12/13. Students must meet the First Generation criteria

    To book please contact wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

    Find out more about this event.

  • English: Making Great Speeches, Year 10, 24 and 28 April, 23 May 2017

    Led by English academics, this day will involve students English Language writing and spoken components by looking at great speeches made by English and American public speakers, including the suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst and US President Barack Obama.

    Students will learn how to analyse and talk about language rhetoric in speeches and will write and deliver their own pieces of persuasive rhetoric.

  • English: Bringing Writers Words to Life, Year 12, 18 May

    Students will visit the University of Sussex’s special research facility ‘The Keep’ in Brighton, where they will learn how to read and understand original manuscripts from writers such as Virginia Woolf. This will help improve understanding of key topics and themes for AS English Literature, with a particular focus on helping students develop their ‘Independent Critical Study’ component.  

    Students must meet the First Generation criteria (first in their family to go to university excluding siblings)
    Dates, booking details to be confirmed however if you have any questions please email wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

  • Media Day, Year 12 – Will the revolution be Televised? Thursday 15 December 2016

    A practical workshop to provide an insight into studying Media Practice at University, the types of skills involved and the potential careers it can lead to. Students will be introduced to the topic of media practice and protest politics, discussing key campaigns from the last 50 years including race, employment and gender rights. Students will work on a set creative brief, discussing video materials and images focusing on how and why different social movements adopt different media to convey a message to the public and people in power. They will then develop a ‘pitch’ for an original media project followed by a practical production of the most successful pitches. This workshop supports students interested a career in creative industries, journalism or film making. 

    Max group size 15 Year12/13 students. Students must meet first generation criteria.

    To book please contact wpevents@sussex.ac.uk

    For further information and curriculum links click here

Social sciences

  • Psychology, Year 10, dates tbc

    This workshop will provide students with an introduction to Psychology by exploring the methods and approaches to psychology. This will be illustrated through various experiments including memory, cognitive processes, group social behaviour and animal behaviour. 

    Students will develop an awareness of why Psychology matters, they will also explore some of the key concepts in the study of Psychology such as scientific research and its impact on social and cultural world we live in. The process of Psychological enquiry will help them develop their own critical and reflective thinking skills.