The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) Expo took over the Austin Lecture Theatre on Thursday 5th December as the Upper Sixth showcased their projects to the Lower Sixth and to staff.
EPQ Co-Ordinator and Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Claire Gulliver, was delighted that so many students have completed their projects. “We’ve had more than ever! They have had a really wide range of projects that link with their career aspirations and wider interests. We are particularly pleased to see a number of artefacts that reflect the wide range of skills in our student body.” Claire feels that students benefit from an EPQ through the development of independent research skills, improvement of time management, support for university applications and by expanding knowledge of and passion for a subject. With topics this year ranging from the impact of Tony Blair’s administration to the upsides of ADHD and from whether rugby union sufficient protects players to the creation of a novel emulating the immersive experience of an escape room, there was certainly plenty to discuss!
Anis dedicated hours to research and complex coding as well as undertaking some live testing on a group of 20 blindfolded subjects. His explorations were focussed on the development of a braille keyboard that would be accessibly priced since he hopes to work in prosthetics in the future. Reflecting on his experience he commented: “ I think it’s really important that the School offers the EPQ because it gives us a chance to explore what we want to do in later life. I want to go into Mechtronic Engineering so I feel that this is no other better way to try out projects that I might want to pursue at University.”
Alex, who looked at which virus would be the most effective in gene therapy and is hoping to pursue a career in Biochemistry, agreed: “I think the EPQ was a very valuable experience. I think it helped my research skills and being able to organise my research. I don’t take any essay subjects so it helped me. I felt like I was ablt to organise my essay well, write a good plan and be able to do it quicker than I have in the past. So I think it was really helpful.”
Aunna researched and then created the ideal golf skirt, teaching herself to use a sewing machine in the process and mastering the complications of zips and pockets. She concluded, “It feels like a foundation which will also help with my uni course. The uni will see that I have research experience and make me more attractive as a candidate. I am now able to use a sewing machine that I couldn’t before as I did all my sewing as handsewing. I am applying for Fashion Business or Fashion Management at uni so it’s quite relevant for me.”
Leighton Park Sixth Form offers the EPQ alongside A Levels enriching our students’ education through the co-curricular programme. The hobby runs from the Spring term of the Lower Sixth through to the end of the Autumn term of the Upper Sixth, and includes both one-to-one guidance and skills teaching in groups. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme develops research and essay writing skills in a similar way but is a compulsory element of the IB course, the extended essay. More about both options is available on our website.
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