New funding opens up cosmic opportunities to students

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has been awarded over £2000 funding through the Royal Society Partnership Scheme.

The grant has been awarded to the College’s Sixth Form Physics Department, providing students with the opportunity to build their own Cosmic Ray Muon Detector.

Martin Gallacher, Subject Leader for Physics at NULC, explains what a Cosmic Ray Muon Detector is used for: “Muons are charged particles that are created in the upper atmosphere when cosmic rays collide with the atoms in the air.  We plan to build an electronic detector using materials sourced from Birmingham University and Fermilab in Chicago.  The detector will then be capable of digitally counting the number of muons that pass through it and we can use it to investigate various factors that may affect the muon count rate.  We can even use it to verify Einstein’s Theory of Relativity!”

The Physics department have been working with particle physicists from Birmingham University who have provided expert lectures and workshops with the talented NULC students.

The College will now work in collaboration with Birmingham University on the project and are planning a trip to the University in the new term to begin using their detector before ordering the equipment to build their own at the College 

Martin added: “It’s a long term project which is due to finish at the end of 2014, so not only will our current Physics students be involved but also those students who’re currently in High School and planning to study Physics at Newcastle-under-Lyme College in September.”

Each year, around 1100 bright and ambitious students from across Staffordshire and Cheshire choose to study AS and A Levels at Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Sixth Form Centre.  The College provides AS and A Levels in more than 35 different subjects.

In 2012, 153 A* and A grades were achieved with around two thirds of our students achieving the top A*-C grades and 11 subjects enjoying 100% pass rates including Accounting, Dance, English Language, English Language and Literature, Film Studies, French, Geography, Media Studies, Photography, Textiles and Critical Thinking. At NULC more students from go on to university than from any other college in Staffordshire* (*Data from UCAS).

To find out more about studying at Newcastle-under-Lyme College’s Sixth Form Centre visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Bake sale success

AS Theatre Studies students held a bake sale on Tuesday 26th March at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) to raise money towards the cost of hire for set/ props from the New Vic Theatre.  The students also held a raffle to win one of two chocolate Easter cakes.  The students raised a grand total of £155.75 and all cakes were eaten! Well done to all those involved.

Student receives design advice from industry guru

Danielle Madeley, an AS Graphics student at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) has received beneficial advice to help her with her coursework from two leading Graphic Design figures.

Danielle was surprised and delighted to receive a detailed email response from Wally Olins (Graphic Design brand guru and partner in international agency Wolff Olins) who went on to send Danielle an autographed copy of his new ‘Brand Book’. 

She has also received interest and detailed guidance from Lindon Leader (designer of one of the world’s most famous logos for ‘Fedex’).

 NULC Art and Creative staff encourage learners to gain in depth research and insights whenever possible and Danielle’s project should really benefit with the input from two of the most famous design minds working in the field today.

Danielle with her signed book from Wally Olins

To find out more about studying A Levels at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Former student returns for work placement

Origami creations from workshop Bryoney led.

A former A Level student has returned to the NULC 6th Form Centre on a work placement and inspired a number of new ideas and techniques amongst current students.

Bryoney Cartlidge, completed A Levels in Graphic Design, Media Studies and Textiles in 2009, where she achieved AAB in her final results. Bryoney has spent the last two half terms working with A Level Textiles lecturer Sharon Porteous.  

After completing her A Levels at NULC, Bryoney progressed on to Huddersfield University where she is currently studying Textile Design.  As part of her degree Bryoney is undertaking a range of work placements this academic year before completing her third and final year at university. 

Bryoney, originally from Sneyd Green, has been working with the second year textile group and has inspired several of the students to utilise the top of the range laser cutting machine with the support of AS Product Design lecturer Roger Sharman. 

Sharon said: “This has enriched the student’s personal investigation units and has produced some excellent results for those involved.  Bryoney has also demonstrated her use of the electronic notice board Pinterest and at least two second years have used this method of collating images to evidence their collection of research for their new unit of work.”

During her last two lessons Bryoney prepared, demonstrated and led origami workshops as part of the introduction to Unit 4. 

Sharon added: “Bryoney has now moved onto her next adventure a placement in France, I would like to thank her on both mine and the student’s behalf for her valuable input and wish her every success.”

To find out more about studying A Levels at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Students reach Senior Final of the Youth Speaks Competition

Frankie Morgan, Heather Arnold, and Fiona Chell, current AS students, in the NULC 6th Form Centre, acquitted themselves brilliantly at the Senior Final of the Youth Speaks District 2013 competition last week in Market Drayton.

The competitors were: Newcastle-under-Lyme College, Concorde College, Trentham High School, Meole Brace School Science College, St Josephs College, Thomas Telford School, City of Stoke on Trent College, Newport Girls High School, and Grove School.

Thomas Telford School went through to the next round. 100 plus guests attended, consisting of teams, teachers, parents, friends and Rotarian officials and members.

Jon Winter(personal tutor) and Mike Fyles (team adviser) attended for NULC.  Mike said: “It was a very good evening, Frankie, Heather, and Fiona were great representatives for the College, worked really well as individuals and a team, and received many positive comments from the audience during the break and after the event.”

To find out more about studying A Levels at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

 

Think-maths inspire NULC students

Students studying A Level Maths at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) were treated to an inspirational maths lecture from a member of a group of mathematicians called Think-maths.  

Think-maths offer exciting and innovative ways of presenting maths topics.  Dr Flo Tettamanti from Imperial College London spoke to the AS Maths students about Fluid Dynamics.  

Amongst other things, she used a smoke machine to make huge smoke rings which floated across the College's auditorium.  After the lecture Flo ran a workshop with students studying Further Maths, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

 

To find out more about studying A Level Maths or Further Maths at the NULC Sixth Form Centre click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

6th Form students enjoy Parisian life

NULC students studying A Levels in French, Film Studies and Media Studies enjoyed a four day visit to Paris.

The excited students visited the French capital as part of the enrichment programme for their A Level course.

The trip was organised by A Level Media Studies lecturer Natalie Weatherer  with the help of Verica Travar-Williams A Level lecturer in Film Studies and Michael Lacoult A Level Lecturer in French.

During the four days the students visited the Pompidou centre, Musee d’orsay, and the Museum of Cinema along with various other culturally significant landmarks.

Natalie said: "A brilliant time was had by all on the annual trip and the students were fantastic ambassadors for the College.  A 2014 is being planned as we speak!"

To find out more about studying A Levels at Newcastle-under-Lyme College click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.