Blackwater students graduate from QUB Scholars Programme

Blackwater students graduate from QUB Scholars Programme

25 May 2022

YOUNG scholars from Blackwater Integrated College in Downpatrick are celebrating after graduating from Queen’s University Belfast’s Scholars Programme.

The gifted year eight and nine students took part in the course alongside fellow 12 and 13-year-olds from three other schools.

The Scholars Programme encouraged the pupils to work independently across seven tutorials on the subject of engineering with a PhD researcher. 

The programme taught them how machines are designed in medical physics, using engineering, and also how scientists interpret data. 

Using these new skills and knowledge, the Blackwater Integrated College students then completed a challenging final essay on how to design a system to monitor muscles in athletes which was given a university-level grade. 

The Scholars Programme has enabled students at Blackwater Integrated College to learn beyond the core curriculum and helped them to develop key skills for university and later in life, such as critical thinking. 

Stephen Taylor, principal of Blackwater Integrated College, said: “This is our first time taking part in the programme and it has had a positive impact on pupil confidence and engagement. 

“It has also increased pupil knowledge about university with students working with a PhD researcher each week.”