Mr Waszek sets Easter Challenge for Y10-13
April 14, 2020

To all pupils in Years 10 to 13
You may be aware that Years 7 to 9 have been set a number of challenges and so I thought that I would also set three challenges for you all for this Easter period. You don’t have to take part but if you do, you will be better informed and educated. You may find this to be challenging, but what is the point of a Challenge which isn’t. It’s simple.
Over the next couple of weeks, I will send you one or more links: they will be to a radio podcast, a YouTube clip, a video or an article. It will be designed to expose you to topics and issues that you probably won’t have been aware of previously.
Each of the topics will take you less than an hour to read/listen to/watch. I will also send you some questions to guide you through at least one of the links.
Each topic will end with a challenge. It’s entirely up to you whether you want to have a go. For each of the three challenges, there will be a prize for the winner in each year group. I hope that you enjoy listening to the links and I look forward to reading your responses.
J WASZEK
Executive Principal
Topic 1: The Adolescent Brain Today’s first link is to a “Ted talk” in which Professor Sarah Jayne Blakemore speaks about “The Adolescent Brain”, and the second is a radio 4 podcast in which she talks about her “Life Scientific”. Finally there of some questions.
Link 1:
Link 2:
Questions to accompany the BBC Radio Programme “The Life Scientific” with Professor Sarah Jayne Blakemore.
I suggest that you first read through the questions before you listen to the second programme, then try and answer them, just for yourself, after the programme has ended.
You do not submit your answers to me.
1) What does Professor Blackmore describe as “teenage typical behaviours”?
2) What is “social” self?
3) How did Professor Blakemore’s research of schizophrenia lead her to study teenage brain development?
4) Research shows that individuals make different decisions when in a group then they would make alone. Can you remember an occasion when you have witnessed that? Or when that has happened to you?
5) Why are teenagers “particularly susceptible” to peer influence and how does this relate to risk taking? What part does the development of the brain play in this? Or are adolescents just badly behaved?
6) On reflection do you think that the academic curriculum in schools should be influenced by adolescent brain development?
Your challenge
Please devise a piece of no more than 200 words advising secondary school teachers of how Professor Blakemore’s research should influence their teaching and relationships with pupils?
This can be in the form of a piece of artwork, a poster, a document, a piece of prose or poem, a PowerPoint or even a piece of music. The choice of medium is yours.
You should email your response directly to me by Midday on Thursday, 16 April by emailing principal@rydalpenrhos.com. I hope you and your family are all keeping well. Stay safe.

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