Outreach for Schools and Colleges

Schools Forum for Global Challenges in a Changing World

Tuesday 4 July 2023 (10:00-14:30)

Join academics from The College of Life and Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham for a day of exploring Global Challenges and what scientists (from many disciplines) are doing to address them.

Ideally suited for Year 12 students, the day will include interactive activities and talks from leading researchers at the University, including a feature talk from Dr David Gregory-Kumar, the science and environmental correspondent for BBC Midlands.

Please see our indicative programme below.

Designed to engage and inspire both students and teachers, this exciting day will cover a range of interdisciplinary topics. Join us to discover how together we are developing solutions to ensure a healthier and a more sustainable future. 

Event programme

• 10:00am Schools Arrive       
• Welcome
• Academic-led interactive activities and talks for your students on a range of interdisciplinary topics
• Lunch break 
• Feature talk from our plenary speaker, Dr David Gregory-Kumar, science and environmental correspondent for BBC Midlands.
• Final activity and Global Challenges Quiz for all schools and students
• 2:30pm Schools Depart

Find out more and register here

 

Schools Lecture Series

We are pleased to be offering our online lecture series for schools again this academic year. The lectures are aimed at A-Level and GCSE students and will be delivered via Zoom. Both teachers and pupils are invited to register and attend. 

Register here

The remaining talks in this year's lecture series are as follows:

26th April 2023, 5pm	Professor Jon Sadler - Can we manage cities for both people and wildlife?
10th May 2023, 5pm	Dr Kirsty Edgar - Dinosaur tracks in the UK: What can they tell us about dinosaurs?

 We have a bank of resources and recordings of past lectures from the series that you can use in your classrooms here.  

Our Outreach and Student Recruitment teams work with schools and colleges to help students explore the world of higher education and decide on the best route for their future. We work particularly closely with state schools in the West Midlands on a range of outreach activities to raise aspirations, improve motivation and encourage students to consider university. 

Find out more.

A Level in-class Talks and Q&A

We have a series of A-Level talks which can be delivered via zoom by staff members to slot into your lessons (30 min talk plus time for questions).  We have a list of topics you can choose from and we can arrange these at a time to suit both you and the staff member. If you would like further details please get in touch at les.outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Placement Opportunity - Geography in the Classroom

‘Geography in the Classroom’ is a third year module offered to our Undergraduate Geography students which runs from February to May.  As part of this we link our students with a Geography department (either GCSE or A-Level) to observe and support the teacher and students.  As part of their assessment they have to develop a resource pack to support student learning.  We are currently looking for departments who would be willing to host a student (1/2 day per week for 10 weeks, Birmingham based). If you would like further details please email les.outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Geography and Earth Sciences Mentoring Scheme

We are currently organising a scheme for our Undergraduate students where they would apply to be a GCSE or A-Level mentor (related to Geography / Earth Sciences).  For one semester, they would be linked with a school and offer small group support. If you would like further details please email us at les.outreach@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Explore the Earth Sciences Virtual Classroom

The Lapworth Museum of Geology have hosted visits for Key stage 5 pupils in past years, to help provide targeted learning associated with the Geography and Geology curriculum. As direct visits are currently not possible, we would like to offer this to schools as a bespoke virtual classroom. The potential topics are outlined below, but if there is something specific you would like us to cover please let us know and we will try to find the expertise to provide some specialist input. 

 

RGS Geography Ambassadors

Our RGS Geography Ambassadors have been trained by the Royal Geographical Society to facilitate classroom sessions and workshops in schools and colleges.

We work with our Geography Ambassadors to further engage with schools in our local area. If you would like a Geography Ambassador to visit your school please email Sophie Hadfield-Hill (s.a.hadfield-hill@bham.ac.uk)

• Careers talks: We visit schools to talk about University admissions and careers in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

• Visits to the University: We organise programmes of seminars, tours and practicals at the University of Birmingham for both pupils and teachers.

Masterclasses are designed to enhance and extend students understanding of a chosen topic within Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.  The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, in conjunction with the University of Birmingham Subject Enrichment Programme, runs a series of masterclasses for Year 10, 11 and 12 pupils. 

Find out more about the masterclasses within the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

We also run webinars as part of the University of Birmingham Shape your Future live webinar series, for school/college students who are thinking of applying for university or have interests in Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences.  

Find out more about the Shape your Future live webinar series.

Our undergraduate Open Days give you the perfect opportunity to hear first-hand from our current students and teaching staff about living and learning in Birmingham.

Find out more about Open Days at the University of Birmingham.