Bridging the gap and raising ambition

ENGLAND – Schools minister Jim Knight has said that he wants every school to offer their students the opportunity to take an extended project to help prepare them for work or university.

Extended projects can be done on a wide range of exciting topics that can cut across all the subjects a student is studying. The projects can involve making films, music, working models or solving mathematical problems as well as writing essay based investigations or research projects.

Mr Knight said he wanted students to be innovative in the topics they chose and not afraid to use new technology to bring their projects to life.

Universities have welcomed the extended project to be offered as part of A Levels and Diplomas because it gives students the research, critical thinking and evaluation skills they value.

The projects are a compulsory part of the Diploma and an optional extra for A Level students and can even be taken as a stand alone qualification.

Examples of a possible extended project are:

• a report with findings from an investigation or study.

• a dissertation presenting an argument, typically around 5,000 words.

• an artefact, for example a work of art or 3D design model, with written explanation of around 1,500 words.

• a project including a short film, use of internet based media or a piece of music.

Some titles from this year’s pilot included:

• An investigation into whether Anti-Social Behaviour Order’s are an effective method of solving antisocial behaviour.

• Effects of global warming on Inuit populations.

• How has life improved for black South Africans since the demise of apartheid?

• Should the voting age be lowered to 16?

• What is the best solution to the quantum mechanical measurement problem?

Students might incorporate elements of their other studies. For example, a candidate studying music and German A Levels might write a dissertation on the life and work of a German composer.

A student studying the Engineering Diploma might make a working model of a pneumatic swing bridge, with mathematical explanation.

“It’s fantastic to see that the pilots have been a success and that students will be picking up grades for the new extended project alongside their A Levels this week. They give students research and analytical skills and the ability to work independently on large-scale projects, which are useful skills in themselves,” said Mr Knight.

“They are also what universities look for in their applicants, which is why it is a popular development with Higher Education Institutions. It is also why I ultimately want every school to give their students the chance to undertake an extended project as part of a Diploma, alongside A Levels or as a stand-alone qualification.

“By giving young people a taste of what independent study is like at university, it helps bridge the gap and raise ambition.”