Throughout 2009 the University of Cambridge will be working with schools and community groups to celebrate its 800th anniversary, looking back on eight centuries of ideas and achievements and also looking forward to the years to come.

A series of unique celebratory projects and events has been planned including Light Up – Past, Present and Future, creative activities for local schools culminating in presentations in November 2009, and Letters to the Future, a collection of 800 letters written by local school pupils to be archived at the University Library and opened in 100 years’ time.

These projects and others will augment regular programmes such as Cambridge Science Festival (9 to 22 March), Open Cambridge and Bridge the Gap charity walk (12 and 13 September) and Cambridge Festival of Ideas (21 October to 1 November).

To set the ball rolling before the New Year, a group of University staff went into a local primary school as volunteers to spend half a day working with 60 ten-year-old children as a pre-Christmas activity that took pupils beyond the curriculum to look at the achievements of those who have studied and worked at Cambridge.

The members of staff, all from External Affairs and Communications, joined the two Year-5 classes at St Matthew’s Primary School on Norfolk Street, Cambridge. Pupils were rotated around four different specially devised activities centred on famous Cambridge people, past and present, and the contribution those figures made to our understanding of the world.

The sessions – mosaic making, portrait painting, website design and media interviewing – were designed to engage the children in hands-on activities and creative role play. The children took up the challenge with verve and confidence, producing a wonderful array of artwork by working together in teams – with remarkable accuracy and concentration.

The pupils made an excellent stab at website design and, as part of the media interview session, played characters such as Charles Darwin (complete with bushy white beard) and Isaac Newton (equipped with iconic apple), filling in the gaps in their knowledge with a good dollop of imagination. Year-5 journalist to year-5 Charles Darwin: “So, Charles, why did you collect so many beetles?” Year-5 Charles Darwin to year-5 journalist: “Well, beetles are cheap to keep and they don’t take up much space.”

A number of University staff showed that they had the X-factor when it came to motivating and engaging with groups of children. “If only every day could be like this. Can you come again tomorrow?” asked one year-5 pupil, wistfully – little realising that the novelty of having 25 adults in the classroom in addition to the usual teaching staff might wear off fairly soon.

Sue Long, Festivals and Outreach Officer with the University’s Community Affairs team, who organised the event, said: “The benefits were definitely two-way. It’s hugely valuable for us, as members of University staff, particularly those involved in educational and community outreach to be reminded just how keen children are to learn and try something new – and for the children themselves to realise that the University is committed to involving them and values their input.”

If you are a teacher or community group, and would like to discuss taking part in any of the 800th anniversary activities for schools and community groups, please contact Sue Long schools800@admin.cam.ac.uk
 

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