Member Article

Game on for University

A board game that aims to encourage youngsters to go on to university has proved so successful it is being extended to other parts of the North East. Star Student is a giant interactive floor game that introduces the concept of Higher Education to schoolchildren, covering subjects from social life to finance.

The game toured 15 schools in Tyne and Wear last winter and has proved so popular that a second game has been produced which will be used in schools in Northumberland and Durham.

The game was devised and produced by Northumbria University’s Education Liaison team. In the game, 12 and 13-year-old pupils move around the board as giant counters and take part in individual and group tasks designed to teach them about Higher Education and provide a feel of what university life is all about. In addition, pupils also get to meet Northumbria students as the game is led by ‘Star Student Reps’ - a team of fully trained current students who work part-time with the University’s Education Liaison Team.

Claire Gaukrodger, the Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator from Walker Technology College where the game was originally launched last year, said: “Star Student proved to be an excellent resource for all Year 8 pupils, delivered in an inspiring and innovative way. All the staff from Northumbria University were well organised and made considering going to university - which can be a daunting and challenging prospect for many young people - more of a reality.”

Lee-ann White, Education Liaison Officer for Northumbria University, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the success of this project in Tyne and Wear. Around 1,000 pupils have taken part in this activity to date with a further 2,000 taking part in the next three months. “We know from feedback from teachers and pupils that it is making a major impact on attitudes and aspirations and that is crucial in the North East which has the lowest take-up rate of young people going on to Higher Education in the country.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .