Field Academies-Digging for the past, Building for the future
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The Higher Education Field Academy (HEFA) programme aims to raise the aspirations, enthusiasm and attainment of 14-17 year-olds with regard to higher education by actively engaging them in carrying out their own hands-on practical investigations in small mixed-school groups, which make a valuable contribution to current academic research at the University of Cambridge. HEFA is aimed at learners capable of applying to top-level universities and helps them to raise their educational confidence and aspirations. During the course, participants will be encouraged to discuss their ambitions for the future and to maintain contact with the University of Cambridge afterwards in order to help them realise their aims.
On HEFA, participants spend two days running their own small (1m square) archaeological excavation within living villages, just like thousands did in TV's Big Dig in 2003 and Michael Wood's Story of England in 2010, with the aim of applying and developing a wide range of learning skills, boosting their academic confidence and giving them a taste of life and learning at university level. They make new discoveries for and about themselves, and in the process contribute to the university's CORS research into the development of rural communities and settlements in the past. The third day is spent in the University of Cambridge analysing the excavation results in discussive learning sessions which aim to engage and challenge participants, prepare them to produce a written analysis for assessment as well as provide an inspirational and positive experience of higher education.
*PLEASE NOTE* that the HEFA Information Afternoon, which was due to take place on Friday 24th February, has been postponed. If, after reading the information below, you have further details and queries about HEFA in 2012, contact the HEFA team administrator.
Able Gifted & Talented
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All field academies in 2012 are intended for students in school years 9-12 interested in studying ANY SUBJECT at university (including those still undecided) who have achieved/are considered capable of achieving at least 8+ GCSEs at grades A*-B.
The HEFA programme is endorsed by the University of Cambridge and the OCR exam board in recognition of the level of cross-curricular challenge it offers young people to achieve in three distinct areas (1) practical fieldwork, (2) personal, learning and thinking skills and (3) data analysis and report writing. Participants will receive feedback in recognition of their attainment in each of these areas which will be of considerable value in supporting their future application to university, enabling them to demonstrate exceptional achievement across a wide range of skills.
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Below are the dates and locations for all the Higher Education Field Academies scheduled for 2012. Please contact us if your school wants to be involved in a field academy and to discuss availability.
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| 28-30 | March | Writtle & Cambridge |
| 18-20 | April | Bramford & Cambridge |
| 25-27 | April | Garboldisham & Cambridge |
| 2-4 | May | Sharnbrook & Cambridge |
| 9-11 | May | Ashwell & Cambridge |
| 23-25 | May | Binham & Cambridge |
| 16-18 | July | Peakirk & Cambridge |
Click here to view a podcast of one HEFA discovery
Click here to dowload a copy of the HEFA leaflet - 528 KB
See below for a video of the aims and activities of a Higher Education Field Academy.
© 2011 Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ