Learners Target Science Enrichments

Aspiring scientists at Solihull Sixth Form College have been boosting their progression opportunities through a series of extra-curricular activities this term.

As well as extensive science provision at A level and BTEC, the College offers three exciting science-themed enrichments, which enables learners to explore science away from the syllabus. This includes a Pre-Medical School for those with serious ambitions to pursue Medicine, a STEM Programme for aspiring engineers, and a Practical Science and Forensic Investigation enrichment for students with any interest in science.

Pre-Medical School students recently benefited from a presentation from Dr Afshan Ahmad at Aston University, who came onto campus to talk to the learners about how to get into the medical profession and what opportunities the university offers to support this.

Meanwhile, in the Practical Science and Forensic Investigation enrichment students have been learning about forensics with a crime scene investigation activity. They learnt the theory behind forensic work first, including the health and safety and evidence integrity implications, before donning personal protective equipment to investigate a mock crime scene themselves.

STEM learners have been in competition to design and build water-propelled rockets. The winning team propelling their rocket 51.4 metres, further by far than any rocket previously created in this enrichment. Six teams of Year 12 students took part, designing, building and testing their prototypes and each team successfully tested a rocket that exceeded the distances achieved on the project last year.

Assistant Principal Trevor Irving commented:

“The Pre-Medical School is an extremely popular enrichment with our students. Every year we help learners progress onto highly competitive medical schools. Taking part in activities that are part of the Pre-Medical School programme helps our young people to stand out from the crowd, giving them an advantage over their peers.”

Assistant Principal Oona Stone commented:

“Enrichment activities enable our learners to develop essential skills that universities and employers are looking for. Our Pre-Medical School and STEM Programme are targeted at young people with specific careers in mind, but the Practical Science and Forensic Investigation enrichment is open to anyone, whether they are studying a science course or not. All these enrichments open doors to further scientific study at university and science-based careers.”

3 February 2025