Oxford University hosts the first education festival of its kind in Cornwall – India Education | Latest Education News | Global Education News

The itinerant event brought together researchers from Oxford and 500 children aged between 11 and 13 from local state schools, with the aim of reaching, informing and inspiring children about higher education and Oxford.

It is one of a number of access initiatives introduced by the University to support students from regions of the UK where fewer students currently go to Oxford and engage with them earlier in their educational journey. In 2023, students from the South West accounted for 8.2% of all UK students admitted to Oxford.

Oxplore Festival students learn about keyhole surgery and experience cycling in virtual reality

We were delighted to host our first Oxplore Festival in Cornwall this week. This is an important initiative that supports our work to improve opportunities for talented students who are currently under-represented at Oxford.

It was wonderful to meet local students, as well as their teachers, who report that students who are rarely involved in teaching and learning are asking questions, getting involved and giving feedback.

We hope that not only did they enjoy their day, but that many of them were inspired to think about their academic aspirations and consider university, and hopefully Oxford, in the future.

Dr Samina Khan, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach, University of Oxford

Hosted by Oxford staff, students and researchers, Year 7 and 8 students from 20 schools took part in a series of fun and interactive workshops to encourage curiosity and critical thinking.

They also engaged in hands-on activities in the exhibition area: from trying out a virtual reality bike, meeting some of Oxford’s musculoskeletal experts and keyhole surgery, to designing an earthquake-resistant structure using staff at Oxford. Department of Earth Sciences.

Oxford visitors included Charlie the Robot and their amazing lungs from the Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience and a robot called SPOT from the Oxford Institute of Robotics that can venture into dangerous areas.