Practical science for everyone
• use English language in the laboratory
• work in excellent college laboratories
Develop your scientific skills
The perfect course for students who love science
The Practical science course is specifically designed for students who want to continue to study science after they are 15. You will be able to develop your practical investigative skills and you will improve the level of your English language in the context of a school laboratory for anyone who plans to take science beyond the age of 15.
Carry out your own investigations while learning science
Students taking this course will:
- Work in “state of the art” well-equipped laboratories
- Plan and carry out an investigation in a chosen subject area
- Meet practising scientists from the University of Oxford
- Learn some computer coding
- Take part in multiple science outings to university facilities
- Produce a poster presentation
Course overview
Laboratory work includes: introducing measurement, heating, and observational techniques. Students learn how to: identify and control variables, record results, draw and evaluate conclusions, measure, and use data logging equipment and microscopes.
Visits to the University of Oxford: Student activities will draw information and gain inspiration from the world-famous Natural History Museum and Pitt Rivers Museum as well the History of Science Museum and the University Botanical Gardens.
Guest Speakers: Practising scientists from the University of Oxford present their research and discuss “how to become a scientist”.
Opportunities for specialisation: After the initial introduction to generic practical science skills and language, students are offered a choice of topics for investigation from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
Poster Exhibition: The course culminates with a poster presentation by the students to an invited audience of their peers. This not only tests the students’ scientific abilities but also allows them to showcase their newly acquired language and communication skills.
Contact the Department
| Patricia Alvarez |
|---|
| Summer Admissions Manager |
| +44 1865 517340 |
| patricia.alvarez@stclares.ac.uk |
| Tom Whitehouse |
| Sales Coordinator |
| +44 1865 517331 |
| tom.whitehouse@stclares.ac.uk |
Guest speakers share their secrets to success!
As part of their Leadership Course, students listened to fascinating talks by STV CEO Rob Woodward and former editor of the Guardian newspaper Alan Rusbridger.
Trip to Windsor Castle
As just one of many trips and excursions offered to students studying on our Summer School we took a trip on a glorious sunny day to Windsor Castle, one of the many homes of Her Majesty The Queen. Windsor is only a 1 hour drive from Oxford. Have a look at some of the...
Summer students are getting creative!
There’s an Arts and Crafts activity offered every day during the summer at St Clare’s. View photos of what students have been making so far this summer.
Dates and fees
Two week course: Sunday 9 July – Saturday 22 July 2017
Fees: £2560
Fees include:
- residential accommodation in double or triple rooms
OR single room in homestay with a local host - full board — 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- tuition
- teaching materials including a student folder
- certificate of attendance and academic report
- bed linen and towels
- one excursion per week including entrance fees
- full programme of social, cultural, and sporting activities in the afternoons and evenings
- travel and medical insurance
- please read our Terms & Conditions
Not included in the fees:
- airport transfers
- personal spending money. We advise £70 per week for personal expenses and extra excursions
- damage deposit of £30 (payable on arrival, refundable at the end of stay)
- express courier fees £25 (if required for visa documents)
- assisted airport check-in service on departure — a fee of £30 will be added to your invoice
- arrangements for meeting or checking in unaccompanied minors — a fee of £50 will be charged for this service
- occasional optional activities (disco, ice-skating, pizza-making, for example), which vary from £5 – £10.
Life in college
During the summer, students come here to study English language courses for two or three weeks. You will be living with them in the same houses, taking part in all of the activities together, and having fun on the same trips and excursions.
Not only will you improve your science skills but you will improve your English as well. You might even learn some new languages! You will certainly make friends for life.
Have a look at some of the fun things we do during the summer
Accommodation
Our teenagers can choose to live in one of our college houses or with a host family nearby. Students in college houses for boys or girls live in single, twin, or sometimes triple rooms. The houses are just a short five-minute walk from lessons and the dining hall.
Have fun learning how to be a better scientist
Learn in our laboratories, improve your English, and discover science in Oxford