See our Launch Video
We are delighted to introduce The GORSE Academies Trust’s cross-curricular summer projects.
Through these projects we aim to encourage students to develop an excitement and curiosity across a variety of subjects, which in turn will enable them to have greater success within the taught curriculum. Within these projects, students will explore both current and historical issues which will help to improve their understanding and confidence of linking topics together – an important skill and one which is ultimately required to achieve the top GCSE grades.
We are keen to celebrate the work students complete and, in September, we will be asking students to exhibit their projects. Final submission dates will be confirmed in the new academic year but we hope that all our students will find these projects engaging and enjoyable. During the exhibit, form tutors will review the summer projects and award a Grade 1-4, where Grade 1 is outstanding, based upon the following criteria:
- Effort
- Content
- Creativity
If students achieve a Grade 1 in any of the criteria they will go into The GORSE Academies Trust’s year group draw and will have the opportunity to win one of a number of iPads. If students receive a Grade 1 in all three categories, they will be entered into a further draw and their chances of winning an iPad will increase further.
To reward and acknowledge the work and time that students have spent on the summer projects they will achieve 25 Form Tutor Credits for each project completed. If both projects are completed, students will be awarded 50 Form Tutor Credits and consequently they will receive their first Positive Discipline Certificate of 2020 – 2021: The Bronze Award.
We would appreciate your support in encouraging your son/daughter to complete these online summer projects. If you are unable to access the resources online and require paper copies please contact the academy, via the academy’s info account [email protected], or by telephone on 0113 2531 600, prior to Friday 17 July.
The summer homework projects available to Year 7 have been placed into two categories: STEM (a science, technology, engineering and mathematics based project) and 2020 – A Year of Seismic Change (a language and humanities based project). We ask that each student complete two projects, one from each category. For each category there is a choice of project titles; students are only required to pick one project from each category. There is no set format for how the summer projects are undertaken, instead, students are encouraged to present their projects in a variety of forms which could include, for example, a news report, a written project, a poster, an essay or a piece of art work.
Click on the projects below to access further guidance on the requirements of each question.
STEM
Question 1
In 2020, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, P&G and Nestlé have all been sued for creating plastic waste and destroying the planet. Will lawsuits like these make a difference?
Question 2
For thousands of years, devices have been used to measure and keep track of time. The Egyptians divided the day into two 12-hour periods and used large obelisks to track the movement of the sun. They also developed water clocks, whereas Ancient China, Japan and England used candle clocks. Sundials have also been used as a device to tell the time of day.
Design a timer which will measure exactly one minute
Question 3
High Interval Intensity Training (HIIT) has become very popular over the last few years due to its benefits on health, fitness and mental wellbeing. Design your own training programme for students in Year 7 and evaluate the impact of this training on health, fitness and mental wellbeing.
A Year of Seismic Change
Question 1
Select two trending hashtags from 2020 and compare their impact on global society.
Question 2
2020 has been a year of seismic change. Which change do you think has been the most significant and why?
Question 3
What has been the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global environment?
The summer homework projects available to Year 8 have been placed into two categories: STEM (a science, technology, engineering and mathematics based project) and 2020 – A Year of Seismic Change (a language and humanities based project). We ask that each student complete two projects, one from each category. For each category there is a choice of project titles; students are only required to pick one project from each category. There is no set format for how the summer projects are undertaken, instead, students are encouraged to present their projects in a variety of forms which could include, for example, a news report, a written project, a poster, an essay or a piece of art work.
Click on the projects below to access further guidance on the requirements of each question.
STEM
Question 1
Titan is the largest moon of Saturn and the second largest natural satellite in the Solar System. Can life exist on Titan?
Question 2
Due to a rapidly increasing global population, there is a high demand for natural resources. Our demand exceeds the supplies available, consequently, businesses are having to review their use of certain materials by reusing, upcycling, and recycling.
Design a recycled or upcycled uniform, or a school building for your academy and evaluate the impact of this design on the environment.
Question 3
In a recent interview Greta Thunberg stated that, Climate change was as ‘urgent as coronavirus’. How far do you agree with this statement?
A Year of Seismic Change
Question 1
Select two or more trending hashtags from 2020 and analyse their impact on global society.
Question 2
2020 has been a year of seismic change. Compare and contrast two or more changes that have happened in 2020 to conclude on which change has been most significant.
Question 3
Assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global environment.
Question 4
What has been the driving force behind change in 2020, the government or the people?
The summer homework projects available to Year 9 have been placed into two categories: STEM (a science, technology, engineering and mathematics based project) and 2020 – A Year of Seismic Change (a language and humanities based project). We ask that each student complete two projects, one from each category. For each category there is a choice of project titles; students are only required to pick one project from each category. There is no set format for how the summer projects are undertaken, instead, students are encouraged to present their projects in a variety of forms which could include, for example, a news report, a written project, a poster, an essay or a piece of art work.
Click on the projects below to access further guidance on the requirements of each question.
STEM
Question 1
Switching to a plant-based diet can help fight climate change. How far do you agree with this statement?
Question 2
The spacesuit worn by astronauts for the Crew Dragon mission has received a lot of publicity. What is unique about this spacesuit and how has the spacesuit evolved over time?
Question 3
During World War II, mathematician Alan Turing and other British scientists created a machine to decipher the Enigma code, used for communication within the German armed forces. It is claimed that cracking the code saved millions of lives and prevented a further 2 years of war.
Create your own code ensuring that there is a familiar pattern, rule or sequence and write a series of messages using your code for others to decipher.
A Year of Seismic Change
Question 1
To what extent can purposeful use of language on social media promote the views or opinions of a person?
Question 3
Assess the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will have a long-term impact on the global environment.
The summer homework projects available to Year 10 have been placed into two categories: STEM (a science, technology, engineering and mathematics based project) and a Martin Luther King Jr. project (a language and humanities based project). We ask that each student complete two projects, one from each category. For the STEM category there is a choice of project titles; students are only required to pick one project from this category. There is no set format for how the summer projects are undertaken, instead, students are encouraged to present their projects in a variety of forms which could include, for example, a news report, a written project, a poster, an essay or a piece of art work.
Click on the projects below to access further guidance on the requirements of each question.
STEM
Question 1
President George W Bush suggested the idea of space-based mirrors to reduce heat radiation reaching the surface of the earth and mitigate the effects of climate change. Research and evaluate different ways in which technology can help combat climate change.
Question 2
In many countries water is taken from lakes, reservoirs, aquifers and rivers. This water often contains sand, gravel, other solid materials, and infectious microbes which must be removed to make the water potable (safe drinking water).
Design, demonstrate and evaluate a method for purifying water so that it is safe to drink.
Question 3
Research suggests that lockdown during the Coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating existing mental health issues. Design activities and tasks for young people to complete during the lockdown period to support them with improving their mental health and wellbeing.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Question 1
In April 1968, the Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., was assassinated. Following his assassination, Bobby Kennedy gave an impromptu speech in reaction to his death.
Bobby Kennedy was a United States Senator and Democratic candidate for the 1968 US presidential election. He was also the brother of President John F. Kennedy, who had been assassinated in November 1963. In his time as the US Attorney General between 1961 and 1964, Bobby Kennedy grew to know Martin Luther King Jr. as the latter attempted to gain more civil rights for African Americans.
Tasks:
- Research the life of Martin Luther King Jr;
- Write a three minute speech that you would deliver as Bobby Kennedy following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
