The end of week 1 saw ORA students at St Andrews compete in a Scavenger Hunt, whilst week 2 bought with it exciting trips about history, science and renewable energy.

Scavenger Hunt

Getting to know their way around St Andrews was no challenge to ORA students as they embarked on the renowned, and extremely entertaining, Scavenger Hunt.

The idea of an ORA Scavenger Hunt is to take photos in lots of different locations carrying out various poses. This week challenged students to take a Beatle-esque picture crossing a road, complete the well-known dramatic Titanic scene, take a photo with nature, copy a mannequin pose and get a snap in a phone box, to name a few.

The results were hilarious, as you can see for yourself below. With Dream Team, Scrambled Leggs and Leather inventing some great team names, the afternoon was full of laughs and innovative photography in St Andrews.

Global Leadership Trip – Edinburgh

A trip to Edinburgh this week gave students staying at St Andrews the chance to visit the Scottish Parliament and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, two very famous sites associated with global leadership.

Holyroodhouse is located at the end of the famous Royal Mile and is still the Queen’s official Scottish residence when she visits the country. In the past, it has played host to other famous members of royalty, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, so our pupils were entering a well-visited Palace. The ruins by the Palace were popular with students, who liked the eeriness emanating from the skeleton of the old Abbey, and indeed the skeleton of King James V himself in the vault below.

The Great Gallery in the Palace was captivating, containing portraits of both real and mythical kings. The sword marks left on some of the paintings from government troops after the Battle of Falkirk (1746) was a fascinating spectacle, adding to the real and turbulent history of Scotland.

Business Trip

Our business students took an excursion this week to learn about renewables and Hydrogen energy storage. They learnt all about how hydrogen tanks can be used to create sustainable fuel sources and engineered their own wind-powered cars.

Though construction was challenging and tricky the final results worked like a charm, and pupils tested the cars outside to check that their renewable energy vehicles could run effectively. After a successful visit, students left the site with a newfound respect for renewable energy and an understanding of Hydrogen energy storage.

Geobus Masterclass

Geobus is an educational project designed to support Earth Science teaching by inspiring students to gain a better understanding of the subject. Visiting the St Andrews group, the Geobus Masterclass thus aimed to provide pupils with an informative practical lesson.

Pupils first participated in an Earthquake Building Challenge, where they discovered how these natural disasters are monitored and the type of waves they can produce. They then got hands-on and worked in groups to construct a model house, which was then placed on an earthquake-mimicking device to see if it would be able to withstand the full force of nature. Students watched in suspense as some houses fell and others wobbled precariously but stayed intact.

Geobus then introduced the notion of chemical reactions and climate, creating an exciting demonstration that made liquids float around a bottle and separate from each other (much like a lava lamp), a sight that mesmerised students.

Mock Law Trial

Students also had the chance to put their most argumentative stance forward at a mock trial this week. They heard all about the structure of a court case and how to effectively argue their side, before quickly putting theory into practice as they took to the stand.

Though we are halfway through week 2, there is still loads in store for ORA pupils at St Andrews – check back soon to find out more.