The Catalyst Theatre Arts Company led a two day programme at the Steelbacks Study Centre. Following a  theme based on the culture of native American Indians, students built tepees, experienced traditional storytelling, mask making, music and drama. They worked hard individually and in groups, participated well and grew in confidence and skills.

The Steelbacks Study Centre was the venue for a Modroc workshop led by Glen Cosens on 23rd August. Glen took the students through the whole process from agreeing a theme – celebration – designing on paper, transferring the chosen design onto cardboard, building up a relief using newspaper and tape, covering the relief with Modroc, and finally painting their work.

An astonishing amount was done during the course of a day and two splendid pieces of art work completed – to be hung in the study centre when completely dry. As well as learning how to use Modroc and improving their painting skills, the students practised skills of cooperation, teamwork and perseverance.

They then went on a track tour where they saw the British Racing Drivers Club, filmed the motorbike action on the track, chatted to a few motor cyclists and even got to sit on a bike, stood on the podium, dropped into race control, visited the workshops where the cars are serviced, tried out a few cars for size, and watched the cars on the Experience track.

They then returned to the study centre where they selected the video clips they wanted to use to create a movie of their tour of the circuit. They chose appropriate music to go with their film and then uploaded it to their S2R page along with a blog describing their day. Check out their work on the Northampton S2R site.

We were very impressed by how well they listened to instructions and how quickly they learned to use the cameras effectively, and by the skill with which they selected appropriate clips. They maintained a good level of focus throughout the day and dealt well with the technical problems.

Ten of them joined fifty other young people on a Drama residential for a week at Grendon Hall. They took part in a range of activities including mask making, acting, a talent show and a final performance for parents and carers – and they were able to swim in the outdoor pool every day.

Three students attended a Musicals summer school at Royal & Derngate theatre where they sang and danced and on the last day gave a performance on the Derngate stage to an audience of about a hundred people. Comments on the experience included the following:

“Usually I get embarrassed in front of an audience, but I wasn’t embarrassed.”
And
“I would volunteer to take part in a show in school now – this helped my confidence.”

On the way they tried fishing for crayfish and had encounters with ducks, cows and a bull. They learned the importance of teamwork, of listening to others and of communicating well. They practised their cooking, map reading and problem solving skills, recognised that on a hike “..you get to see what you don’t see..” and may even do it again one day!

On the first day they visited the GENIE labs (Genetics Education Networking for Innovation and Excellence) at the University of Leicester. There they donned lab coats and gloves and took part in a range of interesting activities – they found the DNA of a banana, took part in the Human Genome Race, acted as DNA detectives and found out how they were “one in a million”

The group then transferred to De Montfort University where they attended a presentation about optical illusions and learned how the brain works to convince us that what isn’t there actually is! This was followed by a session using Photoshop to create a design which was printed and bonded to the appropriate material to form their own mouse mat!

The second day was spent at Loughborough University. After a brief tour of the campus which enabled them to see the Olympic size pool and to peek at the gymnastics area, they moved on to a presentation about Ergonomics which was followed by a design challenge task. The students came up with some fantastic designs for a new mobile phone and the winning group received gift vouchers as a prize.

The afternoon saw us in the Sports Department with a choice of attending a fitness testing session or one on sports psychology. This session was followed by an experience of a new sport – Rock-It-Ball – fast, furious and slightly dangerous!

After two fascinating days the students left with a clearer idea of what university life might be like, and hopefully an increased determination and aspiration to include it in their plans for the future.

The students’ evaluations of the whole programme were very positive with words such as fun and interesting being chosen to describe it. They were able to identify things they’d learned as well as making suggestions for future programmes – more cricket was requested! Scores of over 9/10 were given by the students who also expressed the wish to return in the Autumn term.

Staff identified students’ increased confidence in trying new things, an improved ability to join in discussions and express opinions, and better reflective skills.

This week’s food tasting introduced the group to soda bread, potato bread and dulse – a form of dried seawood popular as a snack in Ireland. (though not so popular with our students)

It was party time for kic.in2.study students on 2nd July when they gathered in the Players Restaurant at Northampton Town Football Club along with carers, friends, social workers, key workers, teachers from the Life Chances team and Northamptonshire Study Centre staff to celebrate their involvement with kic.in2.study over the last year. We were delighted to welcome some of our regular taxi drivers too.

Certificates were awarded to acknowledge involvement with the programme; for achieving 100% attendance; for involvement with the Supporter to Reporter programme and for participation in the Duke of Edinburgh Award. In addition five students identified by staff as outstanding in some way were given Special Awards. Students also received a CD of photos and a limited edition kic.in2.study mug.

A hot and cold buffet supper was followed by some pretty skilful dancing.

They also visited the video diary room to give their thoughts about kic.in2.study.

We discussed what they’d gained from attending the programme – all of them appreciated the opportunity to meet other people and make new friends and to experience new things. As a group they have grown in confidence and are much more willing to express their opinions, to ask for help and to try new things than when we first met them.

They have been a delightful group to work with and we’re looking forward to seeing them again at other kic.in2.study events.