A Rookie’s guide to the EPQ

“An EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is, to put it simply, a BIG independent project.” Essay of about 5000 words, a pretty long piece of paperwork about your research and how you approached your project, and a final presentation where you’ll talk through this essay and paperwork. Alternatively you can make an ‘artefact’ - this can be a piece of artwork, or something else you’ve physically made – and an accompanying shorter essay. You will receive guidance on how to go about the EPQ, but you’ll have to do most of it in your own allocated time, so you need to be able to organise your other subjects and commitments around this. Perhaps the BEST thing about an EPQ is that you can choose your own topic and project title.

Benefits… The biggest benefit for me was practice for university. I feel a lot more confident going into uni. having written a 5000 word essay in an academic style AND based on my own research and ideas. For some people, an EPQ can also help you get into uni. in the first place as not only does it look great on your personal statement, but some courses offer lower grade requirements if you get a certain grade in your EPQ.  I seriously advise you to check with your prospective universities to see if they will lower grade requirements (because some won’t!!!). Finally, as cliché as it sounds, an EPQ can be fun. If you choose a topic you enjoy and you keep on top of what you have to do, it’s nice to be in charge of a whole subject for yourself.

I’m giving you the three main things you might want to consider to help you decide a topic and title for your project. What do I want to get out of the EPQ?  What do I like? What makes a good EPQ?

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An artefact or an essay? An artefact can be a physical outcome such as a book or a short film/ animation or it can be a presentation to a specific audience, a play, or an event such as a fashion show or a musical evening. there is almost no limit to what can constitute an artefact, as long as it has research at its core. Artefact projects must have a clear research aim/purpose and be well evaluated. Students who choose artefact projects must understand that the planned research should form the largest part of their project and that the production of the artefact can only commence once this detailed and wide research is completed. While the written report is shorter for artefact projects than for other written outcomes, the projects must still be research-based.

Examples of past projects Does outdoor learning, particularly forest schools and adventure learning approaches have a lasting impact on children’s development? To what extent is George Orwell’s “1984” an application of Machiavellian governance? Examples of past projects How can stem cell research be used as a treatment after a heart attack and which ethical issues are involved?

Is it possible to recreate a punk band by looking at work from punk bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s Research into punk bands work from the three decades. Write up of the findings. Recording using the elements researched.

Is it possible to portray the plight and horror experienced by the Jewish community during the second world war through a scripted monologue? Research. Write up and evaluate findings. Write a script for the monologue based on primary and secondary research. Film the monologue. Use as part of the presentation.

Could a piece of music be written to reflect the plight of a refugee?

To what extent is it possible to create a short animated film with little or no prior knowledge of the animation process?

How are composers using technology to enhance and produce the musical scores for major films.

What effect would a Yellowstone super volcano eruption have on the worlds economy?

Did the plight of the suffragettes help or hinder modern feminism?

A study of the causes and effects of two major flood events in the Keswick area and comment on attempts to mitigate flood risk.

Taught element overview, what’s included? Manage resources, develop & realise and review. Planning your project and managing your time. Using Mind-maps. Using resources. Ideas on the range of resources available. Evaluation and assessing the reliability of resources. Introduction to Blooms taxonomy. Qualitative vs. Quantitative data gathering. Conducting surveys and experiments. Referencing styles.  Harvard, citation and bibliography. Plagiarism. How to use your sources responsibly. Completing your production log.

Production Log

Production log

Production log

Production log

Production log

Presentation https://prezi.com/vpnukewdu9km/epq-presentation/

Top tips Choose an area for investigation that you are really interested in, even related to a course you want to do, could then be used at interview. Be prepared to adjust your project title part way into the project to show development. Filling in the research and production log is the most vital element, as it shows how your project has evolved.