STUDENTS are aiming high after an inspirational visit to one of the world’s most prestigious universities.
34 primary schoolchildren from West Cumbria were given the opportunity of presenting their work to students and lecturers at the University of Oxford’s Jesus College.
The visit was arranged as the exciting culmination of an eight-week Schools of the Future programme run by The React Foundation, the charitable organisation of Cumbria-based React Engineering set up to raise aspirations of young people and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.
A team of engineers from React volunteered their time to share their professional expertise with Year 5 and 6 pupils and challenged them to design what their school could look like in 50 years. As part of the project, the schoolchildren had to design and bring to life several ideas for their futuristic school and present their project to Oxford University lecturers and students.
The schools which participated were St Patrick’s and Montreal CofE, both in Cleator Moor, and St Joseph’s, in Frizington.
Bella, a Year 6 pupil, said: “The experience of visiting the university was a chance in a lifetime and not many 10 and 11-year-olds get to go to the University of Oxford and get to meet the students there. It has encouraged me to try to get into university when I’m older, and I wanted to thank The React Foundation so much.”
Lindsay Burnett, the headteacher at Montreal, added: “The Oxford University trip was an amazing experience for our children, and we saw their confidence grow before our eyes.
“The children loved the visit to the university to learn what life would be like as an Oxford student - they were so inspired by the lectures we attended, and their self-belief grew as they realised, they could one day be part of such a wonderful institution.”
During their visit, the children stayed in student accommodation at Jesus College for two nights and enjoyed visits to nearby attractions.
On the more educational side of the trip, they sat through lectures, took part in a bridge building competition and then presented their Schools of the Future presentations to university students.
READ MORE: React Engineering launch initiative for school leavers
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