QUESTIntroduction
Youarebeinggiventheopportunityto exploreand share atopicofyourchoice fromaselectionofthemes.
Youcandecidetoexploresomething youarepassionateabout,orsomethingyou have alwayswanted to learn.
Ateacher mentorwillbe assigned to you, who willoverseeyourQUESTplanning, managementandcompletion.Useyourmentorforadviceand supportthroughout the process.
Drawing oncross-curricularskills, youwillembarkonajourneythatwillenhance yourskillsetandprovideyouwithafirmfoundationin howto tackle acourseof independentstudy.
Cross-curricularSkills
Youmaynotbeaware butsomeofwhatyoulearnineachsubjectis transferable. This means thatitcanbeappliedacrossthewholecurriculum andeventoyourlife beyondtheclassroom.Infact,withoutrealisingityoualreadyhold averydiverse setofskills. Applying anddeveloping thesecross-curricularskillswillenableyouto completeathoroughinvestigationintoyourchosentheme andpresentitinan interestingand imaginative way.
Whilstwe maynotbeable topredictwhatcareers willbe available to usin10-15 yearstime,wedoknowthatitisimportanttodevelopthecoreskills needed to adapttoanygivensituation,bethatatschool,universityorinacareer.QUEST will allowyoutodevelopandbroaden these future-proofskills.
SkillsAssessment
Belowwe haveidentified someareaswhichwill allowyoutodevelop thesecore skillsfurther.
Analysis Communication ThinkingandLearning Independence
Using evidence to support ideas
Making connections between different subject areas
Making efficient use of all sources of information
Responding to constructive criticism and advice
Expressing ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and through the written word
Presenting information in an informative, interesting and eyecatching way
Logical reasoning Using initiative to plan and carry out research
Generating questions, ideas and producing answers
Seeing tasks through to a conclusion
Igniting passions and interests Setting achievable targets and realistic time scales
Usingthestatementsabove,rankwhere you feelyourproficiencylevels currentlysit onthe radarchartbelow. Youwillrevisitthisattheendof yourQUESTjourneywith yourmentor.
Independence
Analysis Communication
ThinkingandLearning
QUESTJourney
Whenplanninganyproject,itiskeytoidentifythegoalsyouwanttoachieve,the stepsyou need totake inordertogetthereand howyouwillpresentyourfindings. Uponcompletionitis importantto takesome timetoreflect onandtoappreciate the journeyyouhave undertaken.
Whenwrittenlike this, along-termprojectcanappearquitedaunting solet’sbreak itdown:
Goals
Toexplore atopicthatinterestsme
Todevelopandlearnnewskills
To communicate myfindingsinacreativeway
Steps needed
InitialPlanning
UseAppendix1anddecide onyouroverall theme
Selectthe areasyouwishto exploreonaFireflypage
Withyourmentor,complete the weeklyplanninggrid
Identifythe skills youwill need todevelopand learn
Consider howyouwilltie yourprojecttogether
Eachweekyouwillcomplete anactivitysheet
Consider the resources you will use(libraries,museums, exhibitions, websitesand physicalresources)
Anticipatedifficulties you mayneed to overcome
Meetwithyourmentor and take themthroughthat week’sactivity
Reflectonadvicegiven
QUESTexhibit
Youcanuse anyformattodisplayyour workbutremember yourQUESTwill culminatein anexhibitiontofellowpupilsandyourparents. Thinkofhowyoucan make yourstallinterestingandindeedappealingtoothers(astandofessaysisnot advised!)
Essays
Podcasts
Models
Photos
Performances
Clothingdesign
QUESTreflection
Withanypieceofwork,itiseasyto getcaughtupinthe actual doing andnottake time to appreciate whatyouhave achieved.For thisreason,yourQUESTwillfinish withtimetoreflect.
Initial Planning:Developing your ideas
QUESTwill allowyoutoworkforasetperiodonsomething thatinterestsyou.The endproductcanbepresentedthroughavarietyofmediaand some suggestions are below:
Reportof findingsfrom an investigation
Ajournalof activitiesor events
Artwork,sculpture, modelorclothing
Aslideor
PowerPoint/Keynote presentation
DVD/Podcast/Movie ofperformancesor activities
Aphotographic recordofthe project
Poster
Essay
Lookatthelistof themes(Appendix1) thatareavailableforinvestigationand decidewhichareayouwouldenjoylearning moreaboutand,inturn,sharing that knowledgewithothers.
Onceyouhavedecided,complete the formon Fireflyso thatyoucanbe allocated a mentor.
Before yourinitialmeeting trytobreaktheprojectdowninto manageable parts. Youwillthenworkonandpresentthese sub-activitiestoyour mentor,whomyou will meetonaweeklybasis.
Promptsforinitial planning
Whichthemeinterestsme most?
Whatdoyouthinkwould make asuccessful project?
Whatresources could I use tohelp me reachmy goal?
Possiblepitfalls?
HowwillIpresentmy findingsattheend?
Thoughts
Activity1
Activity2
Activity3
Activity4
Activity5
Activity6
Activity7
Activity8
Activity9
(Optional)
Activity10
(Optional)
Equipment/Resources
Visits Initial Planning Topic Signoff Pupil Mentor
Activity 1
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content)
Time management(90 minutes) Predicted Actual
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 1: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 2
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
management(90 minutes)
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 2: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 3
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
management(90 minutes)
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 3: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 4
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
management(90 minutes)
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 4: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 5
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
management(90 minutes)
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 5: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 6
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time management(90 minutes)
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 6: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 7
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
management(90 minutes)
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 7: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 8
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content) Time management(90 minutes)
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Predicted Actual
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 8: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 9 (Optional)
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content)
Time management(90 minutes) Predicted Actual
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 9: Ideas, notes and sketches
Activity 10 (Optional)
Whatareyoutackling?
Brainstorminitialthoughts:
Wherewill youfindinformation?
Whatisyourproposedoutcome?(Formatand content)
Time management(90 minutes) Predicted
Planning andresearch
Projectexecution
Reviewingand amending
Whatequipment/resourcesare required?
Reflection
Actual
Signed bypupil: Signedbytutor:
Activity 10: Ideas, notes and sketches
QUESTReflection
Attheendofanypieceofwork,itis importantto take time toreflectonwhatyou have achieved.Youwillhavedeveloped skills,overcomeproblems,beenflexiblein yourthinking and learned somenewthingsalong theway.Withyourmentor, reflecton yourownQUESTjourneyand record yourfindingshere.
WhatdidyouenjoymostaboutQUEST?
Wouldyouhavechanged anythingaboutyourQUESTproject?
Revisityourskillsdiagram. Howhasyour skill setbeendeveloped? (Think about which specific skills have developed/improved)
MentorComments:
Appendix 1
ThemeGuidance
Onceyouhavechosen athemetable, allof youractivitieswillbe chosenfromthis same tableacross the weeks. Withinthese theme tables,eachdepartmenthas providedguidanceonhowyoucanuse theirsubjectto further yourQUEST.You must chooseatleastone subjectfromeachcolourcodedgroup,thentheremaining fouractivitiescanbechosenfromanysectionwithinyourtheme.
EnglishandMathematicswillunderpinmanypartsofyourQUEST,so theyare not listed asindependentsubjects.
Science
Sport
In what ways can a Sports Scientist support a football (or any other sport) team?
How does heart rate change with exercise and why?
Can exercise make our brains work better?
The Physics of tennis. What is the ‘sweet spot’ on a tennis racket?
Technology VAR in sport
Art Orley Farm kit and bags. What do you need to consider/what might affect performance or practicality? Suggest a re-design
How do systems like Hawk-Eye work and what effect have they had in the sports world?
Computing
Programming a simulation of a sport you are interested in e.g. mini hockey
TPR Justify the pay given to different sports stars (an argumentative piece)
How have, and when did, different sports become ‘professional’?
History
How have major world events (eg World War One) affected sport?
To what extent has equality developed within sport? You could consider equality between races, genders or for people with disabilities
Why are certain sports played in certain countries?
Geography
How does the climate and/or the development status of countries affect their sports funding?
PE/Games Design a drill for summer sports at OFS
Drama Should sports stars be treated as celebrities?
Music
Fitness in theatre - what is the relationship between the two?
Compose a theme for a sports event
How significant is music in sport?
French Which sports are popular in France and why?
Classics
The history of the Olympics
Gladiators - who were they and what purpose did they serve?
The history of chariot racing
Science
Technology
Art
Computing
Science/Technology
What is Robot assisted surgery? Advantages and disadvantages
Virtual reality, Augmented reality and machine learning. How can they transform our lives? Advantages vs Disadvantages.
Space exploration. Is it worth it? (costs vs benefits)
Antibiotic resistance. What is it and what can scientists & the public do about it.
Mobile phones past/present and future
How have devices such as Alexa, sat navs or iPads changed how we live our lives?
Are we losing practical skills due to the growth of technology?
Computer aided vs. manual drawing/painting/making - the benefits and disadvantages of each
What is Moore's Law? How can scientists keep improving computers beyond the limits of current technology?
Religious view on medicine interfering with nature e.g. blood transfusions
TPR
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - is it taking over human jobs?
Explore the morality of having an Automatic Donor register
History How has technology changed people's lives through time?
Geography How can technology aid in the prediction of and response to natural disasters/hazards?
Fitness monitors (e.g. Fitbit) are they worthwhile?
PE/Games
Paralympics - the impact of technological advancement on disabled athletes
Effects of technology on physical fitness and the gym industry
Stage design/management - the impact of technology in the performing arts
Drama
Prop, Set or Costume design
Music Using music technology. Mixing a song using different techniques Reverb/Mixing deskconsider the advantages and disadvantages of using new technology in Music
French Explore the impact of technology on language teaching
What inventions did the Romans and Greeks give to us?
Classics
E.g. Romans: Inventors of concrete and sanitation systems
Greeks: Finding out how the body works
Science
Technology
CurrentAffairs
Climate change. Is it too late? In what ways can humanity act to stop global warming?
Energy crisis: Could the world be fully powered by renewable energy.
According to projections, the world population will be 8.5 billion in 2030. How can we feed the world without destroying the planet?
Green power and the possible solutions to global issues through technological inventions
Art Art of protest/propaganda - could link to History and how this was significant in the 1960s
Computing
How has social media been misused to interfere with democracy around the world?
Does religion have a place in modern day society?
TPR
Are the younger generations interested in religion anymore?
How can our political leaders appeal to, and represent, people belonging to all religions?
History Take 1 news item in current affairs - how have past events shaped it? Are there any other examples you can think of?
Geography How can media representation of a global issue affect your opinion?
How can the media keep us informed about global issues?
PE/Games
Investigation of a modern news issue relating to the behaviour or actions of sports stars in the public eye - e.g. refusing to accept medals or illegally taking performance enhancing drugs
Money in sport - is it necessary in order to be successful?
Drama Write and present a news report on a current affairs issue in a different style to your normal persona
Music Song lyrics and how they make comments on social and personal issues. Write a song where you give your view/s on a current affairs topic
French
How do the French tackle particular political or cultural issues?
Do the French face similar issues to the UK or other European countries? E.g. Immigration, economical issues
Politics and democracy in the Classical world
Classics
The value of Philosophy in politics
Ancient strategies in warfare that are still used by modern leaders (e.g. Napoleon and Hitler)
Science
Technology
Influencesonmoderndaysociety
The impact of vaccines on diseases such as polio, smallpox and diphtheria.
How Pasteurisation makes food and drinks safer to consume.
Compare your daily life to the life of a person that has lived at least 500 years ago.
How is the role of Science important in day-to-day life? How has Science improved our lives?
How do designers influence what is developed by technological companies? e.g. selfdriving cars
Art Careers: Where can an Art background take you?
Computing
How are microtransactions in free to play games affecting society?
Why do we constantly update our technology and phones when we don't necessarily need the extra features?
How someone has made an impact on today’s society?
TPR
History
Contrafactual History - If a certain person had not lived, how different might society be? This could be someone who made a positive influence, e.g. Sir Isaac Newton, Ghandhi, or a negative one e.g. Hitler, Stalin
What invention has been truly revolutionary? Who discovered it and how did this happen?
Geography How do celebrities influence our appreciation of the natural world?
How does being involved in physical activity affect our well being?
PE/Games
Create a profile of a sports star past or present and their influence on society
Drama How do celebrities/reality TV stars influence modern-day society?
Music
Create a musical picture of an era of your choice E.g. ‘Desert Island’ discs- putting together popular songs and musical fashions in a collection of 8 pieces of music
French Did the French Revolution shape modern day France? Who was involved, who was most influential and why were they so important?
Who were the founders of western civilisation?
Classics
How has language evolved over the past 2000+ years?
Science
Technology
PerformingArts
Make a drawing or a model of an organ / organ system / organism you find inspiring.
Carry out some research and create a presentation on any medium, on artists that have been inspired by science (Olafur Eliasson, Jen Stark, Tomas Saraceno, Luke Jerram, Fabian Oefner etc.)
Stage design - design a model for the set of a scene from a play of your choice or explore a production that has used unusual or innovative technology, e.g. ‘War Horse’
Art Design a program/poster/leaflet for a Summer art exhibition/drama production
Computing How can virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) be used to enhance performance?
TPR
History
Geography
Are the performing arts becoming less accessible to certain groups? Consider the rising cost of gaining exposure to the arts for young people and the stereotype that they are ‘female’ subjects
What effects do participation in the performing arts have on mental wellbeing?
How has the way that people spend their leisure time changed through the ages? What factors have influenced this?
How does the climate and/or development status of countries affect their performance arts funding?
What cultural influences can be found in performing arts? You might wish to focus on particular theatre productions/shows to explore this
PE/Games
Explore different dances from other countries and how they promote their culture’s values or heritage
How are core strength and fitness relevant to performers?
Using drama to get a topic across
Drama
Look at animals in the zoo and identify the characteristics you would need to portray?
Music Research the history of musical theatre
Write and/or perform and record a short musical theatre sketch
French Are performing arts embedded more in the French Culture rather than the English?
Classics Performing arts originating from a religious ceremony to pay homage to Dionysus
Investigate the origins of Ancient Greek tragedy
Appendix 2
Sources,fact checkingand referencing
Itisimportantwhen tryingtoresearchand understandinformationtousereliable sources,ensuretheyare accurate andgivecreditto thepeople thathave supplied you withthatinformation.
TopTipsfor SearchingtheWeb
Understandthequestion
Inordertoeffectivelysearchtheweb,youhavetohaveagoodunderstanding ofthequestionthatyouaretryingtofindtheanswerto.
Typingrandomkeywordswillgiveyourandomresults!
Getthekeywords
Nowyouhaveyourquestiongetthekeywords:
‘WhatisthecapitalofSpain’becomes‘capitalSpain’
Ifmorethanonewebsitegivesyouthesameinformationthenitismorelikely tobecorrect.
Wikipedia?
Wikipediaismostlyreliableandcanbeagoodstartingpointforyourresearch butshouldnotbeyouronlysource.
AnoteonESafety
Anyone can buy a .co.uk, .com, .net (and more) so may not be reliable.
There are web address endings that are restricted and they are more likely to be reliable. Examples include .gov, .ac.uk.
Besensible–thinkbefore you click astheinternetnever forgets!
n’
Triangulate
Why is it important not to ‘copy and paste’
If you had spent ages creating a piece of music, investigating a problem or writing a book you wouldn’t want somebody else simply taking it and saying itwastheirownwork.
Cheating….
Copying(plagiarising)otherpeople’sworkischeatingand canalso be illegal.
This canbeanything fromwordstomusic to pictures.Ifyoutake anything thatsomebodyelse hasmade andclaimittobeyourownthen thisisplagiarism.
That’snottosaythatyoucan’tusebooksandwebsites
Books and websiteshave awealthofinformationthatwecanuse to helpus.
Referenceyoursource
Referencingallowsyoutogivecredittoothersthatyouhaveusedto helpyoucompleteyourwork.
Cheating
Ask Howdoestheauthor orartistsayIcan usethework?
DoIhavetoget permissiontouseit?
Acknowledge Ifyouneedto acknowledgewhere informationhascome fromwritethesource insidebracketseg.
(BritishMuseum Website)
AddValue
Usetheinformation thatyouhave gatheredtohelpyou expandyourown idea.
Don’tjustcopyand pasteit!
work
Using otherpeople’s
inyour ownwork
Appendix 3
Recommendedreading
This list is not exhaustive; you may not find what you need here. If you need any help, please see one of the Library Team, who will be happy to guide you towards suitable resources.
InspirationalBiography
Young,GiftedandBlack – Jamia Wilson (Wide Eyed Books)
ChildrenWhoChangedtheWorld – Marcia Williams (Walker)
GreatBritonsSeries: Scientists, Engineers, leaders, Campaigners for Change, Novelists (Franklin Watts)
GoodnightStoriesforRebelGirls series
HowtoBeExtraordinary – Rashmi Sirdeshpande (Penguin)
Science/Technology
Inventionsin30 Seconds – Dr Mike Goldsmith (Ivy Kids)
StuffYou ShouldKnow! – John Farndon (QED)
Science You CanEat – Stefan Gates (DK)
50 AmazingThings KidsNeed toKnowaboutScience – Penny Johnson (Quericus)
100 Thingsto Knowabout Space – Alex Frith (Usborne)
Politics/CurrentAffairs
KidsFight Plastic – Martin Dorey (Walker)
AnInconvenient Truth – Al Gore (Bloomsbury)
UsbornePolitics for Beginners - Alex Frith
YouRule:Create YourOwnCountry – Scott Forbes (Lonely Planet)
Democracy intheUK – Nancy Dickmann (Raintree)
Who’s inCharge? Alexander Cox (DK)
GeneralKnowledge
TheBookofComparisons – Clive Gifford (Ivy Kids)
Factfeed:Ultimate Bookof RandomlyAwesome Trivia – Penelope Arlon (Scholastic)
TheWorldin Numbers - Steve Martin (Buster Books)
Facts:EssentialKnowledgefor Curious Kids – Susan Martineau (B Small)
AWorldof Information – James Brown & Richard Platt (Walker)
Therearealsonewspapersandmagazinesavailablesuch as First News,TheWeekJunior,NationalGeographic Kids
Possiblevisitideas
BritishMuseum
The British Museum is one of the oldest in the world. Its permanent collection numbers more than 8 million pieces, spanning human history and culture from ancient to modern times.
V&A
The Victoria and Albert Museum, located in South Kensington is a collection of decorative arts and ornate objects from around the world. Inside can be found the Museum of Childhood where there is housed a collection of toys and games from the past.
NaturalHistoryMuseum
The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history.
ScienceMuseum
The hands-on style of this London museum brings science to life for everyone.
ImperialWar Museum
A collection of military artefacts starting from World War 1, right up to a Snatch Land Rover and Harrier G9 used by British forces in modern day campaigns in the Middle East.
Barbican
The Barbican Centre is a popular venue for the arts – home to the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The Barbican also hosts an Art Gallery with regularly updated exhibitions and a public library.
Museumof London
The story of Britain’s capital city is told here, starting in prehistoric times right up to the 21st Century, the story is told through reconstructed street scenes and genuine artefacts. There are regular exhibitions focusing on particular aspects of London and special events.
HornimanMuseum
The museum hosts a fascinating natural history exhibit and a collection of musical instruments from around the world.
TheLondonTransportMuseum
The London Transport Museum, based in Covent Garden, London, seeks to conserve and explain the transport heritage of Britain's capital city.
Shakespeare'sGlobe
Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays.
TheRoyalAlbertHall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall in South Kensington. One of the United Kingdom's most treasured and distinctive buildings.
BritishLibrary
The British Library (BL) is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s largest libraries. Its collections include more than 150 million items, in over 400 languages including books, magazines, manuscripts, maps, music scores, newspapers, patents, databases, philatelic items, prints and drawings and sound recordings.