TYPICAL STUDENT COMMENTS ABOUT OUR EVENT PROGRAMMES

Over 99% of participating pupils recommend our events. We are delighted to feature just a few of their comments.

"Great. Fantastic. Original! Like nothing I've ever done before. It was really fun working as a team and in smaller groups" (Jonathan Bestely, Yr 8)	It was a once in a lifetime experience, which I will never forget. It was fun and useful. These sessions built my confidence, increased my knowledge and also provided more interest in science. It was a challenge that I will always remember. (Naila Bibi, Yr 9)	"I enjoyed so many things this week. It made me see astronomy and science and ICT in a new light. If my secondary school is going be this good, I'd pay for it!" (Louis Mekier, Yr 6)
"This experience will never leave me. I would do it again without hesitating. I especially liked the investment & moneymaking decisions (I was HRM)" (Tom Bolton, Yr 9)	"I had a really great time and have done a lot. I was apprehensive at first but ended up having a brilliant time. I really enjoyed problem solving and 'gotcha'. I've met a load of great new people, some of who weren't even in my team! It's a great laugh!" (Mark Plested, Yr 10)	"I have really enjoyed this week. At first I thought it would be boring, like school, but in the end I had an excellent time. I would definitely come to an Aspire summer school again, it was brill!" (Lydia, Yr 9)
"Target Mars was the best thing I've ever done. From Sabotage to Rockets to Earth, Target Mars was a fully enjoyable experience from start to finish." (Emily Walker, Yr 8)	"I have enjoyed this week loads, it was great fun and I learnt a lot. I got to use fascinating new equipment which I don't normally use in school. It was great to work with new people and the challenges and sub-challenges were really enjoyable." (Alex Penson, Yr 10)	"It was amazing, it taught me without me realising, which is always an advantage! I wish we could do it every week." (Joe Kidd, secondary)

Find out what the Educational Professionals have to say. Click Here

We like to give everyone participating a chance to have their say. Read about 'Dead on Time'. Read about 'Target:Mars'

 

Comments about the Dead on Time Murder Mystery

Fairfield High School for Girls

I really enjoyed this week because it's been different. The people I was with in my group I wouldn't of necessarily been with - so this has made me meet new people. I did disagree with them, but now I've learnt to put my opinion across - so that has made me learn another skill. I'm grateful that I got a chance to do this because I've got a chance to have new skills, experiences and realise the skills that I had already that I'm getting better at.
Georgia Mellor

This week has been really good and fun. The whole thing's been really enjoyable.
Leanne Blairs

This week has been amazing! I have learnt a lot, and it was really fun. To be honest, I could not specify my favourite thing of the week. The microscopes were hardest to use, but interesting to find out how hard some jobs can be. Overall, it has been extremely fun and a new experience, so I would like to thank Matt and Kim for the fab week! I've enjoyed it so much.
Emily Boggia

I really enjoyed the whole week! I'd do it again. I would recommend the week, and I think Matt and Kim are top notch! Oh and the DNA extracting was fun! I like having me in a bottle! Thank you
Grace Thornhill

I enjoyed this week a lot! I would do it again and I would recommend it to my friends. I enjoyed searching the van the most because it felt like we were on a real crime scene. I also really enjoyed solving the case! Thanks.
Chloe Webb

Everything was great. It has changed my views of science. I now think forensics is something I would like to into. It was great!! Thank you.
Danielle Smith

If I could do this again, I definitely would and would recommend it to other people.
Emma Jane Raisbeck

I actually wanted to come to school for once. It was really fun.
Chelsie

I just enjoyed the whole thing! It was so fun! I loved doing all the experiments and solving the murder! I wish I could do it all the time, and Matt and Kim were amazing!
Bethan J.J

I enjoyed learning about all the things that we wouldn't get to learn about in normal science lessons. Sometimes our team got a bit stressed out in experiments, but it was fun and we had a laugh whilst doing the experiment. Matt and Kim were excellent. The whole experience was absolutely brilliant.
Kate S

I really enjoyed this week. I thought all the practical work was really fun and interesting. I most liked doing the DNA extraction as now I have me in a bottle! After this I would definitely consider a career in forensic science.
Chloe Desmond

I really enjoyed all of the practicals we did because we learnt something new from each one. The thing I most enjoyed was inspecting the car for clues and uncovering the evidence. I learnt a lot of new skills in this week because it's a completely different experience.
Charlotte-Keren O'Neill

I enjoyed everything! The whole week was so much fun, my favourite part was figuring out the murder and getting clues - I got so sucked in that I even dreamt about it! HaHa!
April-Joy Hamilton

Wow! I love it! I learned so much, and it was completely different to anything I've ever done in school. I especially liked the blood splatter work. Thank you!!!
Anonymous

Awesome. It was so good! Learning new skills, lots of fun, good storyline and plot, - intriguing, innovative, intelligent…. I love it!!
Anonymous

I have enjoyed mostly all of the dead on time. The one I liked the most was the car search and fingerprints. Also the whole solving who had commited the crime. Overall I think it was brilliant and I wish it didn't have to come to an end.
Lauren Teale

It was really good, it was an experience that will help in the future and it was a good way of learning things. The mystery of it all made it more fun and it was definitely worthwhile.
Anneliese O'Toole

Brilliant! ! I would like to thank you for a great fun and interesting week!
Meghan Hughes

The Priory School

I particularly enjoyed the fingerprinting as I got quite into thinking that I was a detective!
Lauren Banton

I liked the fact that we did activities that people actually use in real investigation, I really liked how real it all was, almost as if it had actually happened.
Rebecca Hindley

This has definitely been the best G&T day. I really enjoyed it and would love to do it again. I found it useful and really interesting.
Georgia O'Shea

It made me think very critically, really enjoyable.
Rory Greenwood

Sydenham School

I enjoyed seeing my DNA, working out who was the suspect. I don't know how it could be better, I found it fun.
Chrystal Allton

These types of games and experience is fun and interesting to do.
Herberta Palm

I really enjoyed coming and worked really well with my team mates and I would really like to come back next week.
Adeola

Southfield School for Girls

I enjoyed meeting new people. Really enjoyed the Fingerprinting Lab. Overall it was brilliant. Much fun.
Rachel Hughes

Searching for suspects or hunting for clues was really good because we had to think outside the box & for ourselves.
Rosie Bamber

Really enjoyed it! Great day!
Alysia Dale

I really enjoyed the game of Hunting for Clues as it put my logical skills to the ultimate test. Plus I loved the Qwizdom stuff!!
William Shadbolt

The Hunting for Clues was so much fun, definitely do it again. So great.
Henrietta Beynon

I really enjoyed the clue finding and it brought out the competitive side of me.
Sophie Jackson

Waldegrave High School for Girls

I loved doing the videos in groups, it was really fun. Qwizdom was definitely one of the highlights, and it made it really fun and competitive! Thank you for a brilliant week!
Esther King

Variety of activities which allow you to find your strong points and build up your skills. By working together in a team this allows you to get to know people.
Deepika Sharma

I enjoyed the week as a whole. The blood analysis was probably my favourite as my team and I did very well. But most of all I enjoyed the game 'Gotcha' as it was a fun site of what a serial killer would go through! Fingerprinting was also an enjoyable experience.
Esra Elhadi

I really enjoyed this week, it actually made me use my brain during the holidays. I most enjoyed the fingerprinting, it was different but a totally worthwhile experience.
Hannah Cheales

I enjoyed the element of competition, but it's a different type of competition. At school everything you do is monitored and "affects you future life". At Dead on Time, there was the chance to learn from your mistakes without being a "failure". I really enjoyed it.
Abi Cheales

I enjoyed the experiments and all other work to solve the case. I enjoyed the competition and the different ways of voting. You made it fun and interesting.
Shreema Thakrar

Carre's Grammar School

I felt that I have really enjoyed today and that the experience would be very useful if I was to join a forensics lab
Connor Harrison

Loved the music and the suspense, planned perfectly. Loved it!
Josh Godson

I thought the whole event was brilliant - loads of new, interesting and exciting techniques and activities. Led really well with lots of enthusiasm. Really enjoyed the DNA - it felt like we were in CSI.
Anonymous

All the events were enjoyable and different. It was a fantastic day as I haven't done anything like this before. Working in the groups we did was great, everybody contributed and did come up with good ideas.
Arron Pilgrim

I felt that today was very well organised and very professional. It was a great experience, and I felt that I learnt a lot and will take some new understandings away from today.
Nathan Moses

Kelsey Park School

I most enjoyed the fringerprint lab, as it is something I have wanted to do for a while and it gave me greater understanding.
Charlotte Fuller

I really enjoyed the use of I.T, as it tested your reaction skills. I enjoyed learning new forensic skills, and working with other schools.
Jenny Llewellyn

It was very fun. It was good working with people you don't know. I thought the DNA testing was the best activity.
Josh M

Hunting for clues was good as we got to use our own initiative and were allowed to take control.
Grisilda Duli

Langley Park School for Girls

I had fun. I liked my team. Everything takes a long time - a lot of aspects to consider in an investigation which was interesting to learn.
Tash

I really enjoyed the involvement of the storyline within the activities as it made it seem more realistic and made it much more enjoyable. I enjoyed all aspects of the day.
Rebecca Cook

I enjoyed the detective nature of the day. It was interesting to try and figure things out by ourselves, and the new skills were really good to learn.
Sophie Wilson

I really enjoyed the team aspects as I worked with people I hadn't met before. I found the electrophoresis particularly useful as we are studying this at the moment as part of our A-level course. I founf testing the blood sampler and blood typing particularly interesting due to personal enjoyment of forensics and found the whole game set-up an extremely fun way to learn all the interesting skills and facts.
Rebecca Lodder

It helped me to understand techniques used within science to identify certain facts and features. It made me think deeper into situations and to broaden my mind when thinking of other possible circumstances and possible outcomes. I've learnt about new techniques and procedures used by the forensic science departments.
Elizabeth Cullen

The Gateway Academy

I enjoyed the day, as it showed a real life example of how science is used to solve crimes.
Amy Cracknell

I enjoyed the day, it put science in real life scenarios and showed us how science is used to solve crimes. I enjoyed trying to piece together clues.
Anonymous

It was something different that I've never done before, therefore catching my interest wondering what's going to happen next.
Anonymous

Matt and Kim were very helpful and nice. I enjoyed the tasks and found them very interesting.
Jack Risk

I enjoyed working in the workshop with Matt and Kim and I have had fun whilst learning some new and exciting skills and I would like to do them again in the future.
Lewis Renshaw

I really enjoyed this event and it was a lot better than expected. I especially enjoyed the blood lab it was very interesting. I have learnt a lot of new skills and have broadened my mind to new skills.
Amy Richards

I enjoyed everything about the day and feel like my mind was opened to new things. I would do the event again no questions asked!
Gemma Ring

I enjoyed doing all of what I have done today as it was very interesting and I have always wanted to do something like we have today.
Kayleigh Malthouse

I have enjoyed doing these activities today. I thought they all were very interesting and I also learnt lots
Abby Beven

The Hemel Hempstead School

The toxins was the best
Alex Eykelbosch

It was fun and we'd never done anything like it before.
Steph Foster

I think the best thing was the toxins bit.
Unknown

It was fun and we got an opportunity to do different things involving science.
Olivia Scott

The fingerprinting were fun and so was the DNA.
Lillith

It was a fun way to use different skills and was very enjoyable.
Alex Burgess

I liked using the hand controls, I thought they were effective.
Lois Moore

I liked the voting within the handsets.
Becca

I really enjoyed the Blood Sampling and using the microscopes. It was really good.
Unknown

All fantastic. Was very good to use our knowledge and logic to work it out! Great when we won too!
Andrew Coe

Today has been really good. I really enjoyed the analysis of everything.
Tasmin Mason

I really enjoyed this day because we learnt & experienced lots of new things. I particularly liked the fingerprinting because it was really fun. I also liked answering the questions on the board.
Imran Ullah

I found it very fun and very useful and better than lessons
Unknown

I think that the whole event was a great experience and I think it was good to build teamwork.
Unknown

It was fun especially the games with the handsets!
Aaron Lloyd

I enjoyed the Blood Lab and putting the clues together.
Siobham Elliott

Jeez today was awesome, you guys rock!
Unknown

I enjoyed the event because it was unusual and fun and I can use the skills.
Unknown

I especially enjoyed the blood testing because I learnt a lot of new information.
Jordan Kelly

I liked the whole experience and I liked guessing. It was fun to do, a lot better than the normal school day anyway.
Louise Donovan

I love this kind of detective activity - the twists and turns add depth and complexity.
Amelie Lecoeuche

It was fun because everything was interactive
Unknown

I liked working with other people and trying to work out who was the person. It was quite fun.
Nimish Chundavadra

I think the whole thing is a great experience, it has been exciting and useful.
Unknown

Manningtree High School

It was a very exciting, engaging and fun challenge that really made me think in many different ways and stretched me.
Janathan Fortescue

Really thrilling and quite good.
Mari Hullett

This was the best game of all, this was exciting and let me use my good analytical skills.
Unknown

I have enjoyed all of it!
Laura Mallin

"Fantastic" I enjoyed using the techniques that have been perfected.
Sean Warren

Dealing with dead people isn't something I usually like, but I loved solving the crime of the death of Ben Veasey!
Daisy

This was excellent with lots of red herrings.
Joshua Cunningham

One of the best things ever. It has been really challenging but amazingly rewarding and the Quizdoms have been great too.
Daniel Rogers

I really enjoyed learning new forensics techniques and putting them to use. It was quite pressuring when you were behind on the investigation and other groups knew more than you.
Sarah Richardson

A great practical. It taught me lots of techniques for different useful practicals.
Guy Harrison

It was very challenging and great fun!
Rachel Brooke

This was my favourite out of all the events because I loved figuring out the information and doing the practicals.
Eloise Allan

St Gregory The Great School

I really enjoyed working in my group and I thought that the activities were absolutely amazing!
Elise Perry

Loved the whole thing
Ben Joines

I enjoyed the whole day especially the blood testing and hunting for clues
Unknown

I enjoyed the whole event because we learnt new skills and worked as a team.
Emmalees Furce

I enjoyed trying to find out what happened. I liked doing stuff with the voting things.
Unknown

I enjoyed learning about the different techniques used to test for different substances & it was worthwhile for future careers.
Joanna Robins

I liked the blood lab I thought I was good at it and it was very exciting.
Hassan Tehush

I liked the observation test and the fact it wasn't obvious or easy at any point.
Unknown

I enjoyed the DNA testing because it was a hard yet enjoyable skill to learn.
Jennifer

This was very good experience because I got to do things which I had never done and was very interesting while looking through the results.
Janet Jose

I think it was all really good fun. I'd love to do something like it again. Thanks!
Olivia Lawler

It was a great experience because it was tricky to decide who did it…
Killian C.M

I think it was fun, really fun, I mostly enjoyed the handsets and the observation test! It was very interesting, I had a great time here.
Julius M

Everything was good. Liked the quiz thing. Thanks
Deborah Cuddy

Really Really interesting!!!
Unknown

I enjoy the rounds with the buzzer and the hunting for clues was good. The DNA Testing was good and interesting
Olivia Strange

I think that "Hunting for Clues" and "DNA Testing" were the best because they were really fun and also useful as they improved my practical skills and teamwork. I didn't dislike anything.
Unknown

I enjoyed working with a range of people with different talents; I felt that the groups were well sorted. I enjoyed making my way through the evidence and trying to draw conclusions.
Rosemary O'Reilly

I really liked the clue finding one. It allowed us to put all our thoughts together and think outside the box.
Alicia Phipps

I liked the lifting fingerprints, it was good fun. I also liked the answer & questions thing, it was good!
Lizzie Costigan

Enjoyed finding clues and finding the killer and winning the event!
Isabelle Pullen

Southfield School for Girls

I really enjoyed hunting for clues as it allowed you to explore different ideas as a team and develop clues. I have enjoyed the whole day thank you.
Matthew Rooney

I found this day incredibly fun & educating. I enjoyed every minute and found it to be realistic but fun. I felt pleased with our teamwork, and felt that this is a fantastic team building exercise for all ages. It was challenging and full of pressure, but in a totally good way. It helped me learn about myself & my strengths, and I would be happy to do it again.
Maddy Conway

I feel that the whole experience was fascinating and worthwhile. I learnt a range of new skills and enjoyed our team pulling together to try and find the final solution.
Cat Clarke

I really liked the hunting for clues as it helped with problem solving and tested me very well, observation test was also fun as I think it's sharpened my perceptions. I have enjoyed everything.
Anna Bhagwandin

I really enjoyed everything about today, especially the story format it was presented in.
Paige Mason

I enjoyed the competitive nature of the game, throughout the day. Also, I gained a greater insight into forensic science, which was fun.
Lisa Bryant

I enjoyed hunting for clues because it was using a range of skills. I also enjoyed the DNA testing.
Katie Robinson

Cordeaux School

I really enjoyed the whole day, extremely good *****
Abi Beanes

I loved testing for fingerprints and making the DNA testing thing. It was a very educational experience.
Saskia Wilbourne-Davy

I enjoyed today a lot! It was interesting and fun.
Megan Koss

I like using the quizdoms best because it tested how much you've been listening and how observational you are.
Nadine Bruntlett

The whole day was good. You got to learn loads.
Sophie Hansom

St Mark's Academy

I have enjoyed every single game and adventure, also it was knowledgeable. This should be shown to every student. Very good opportunity to learn something new.
Athar Mehmood

I enjoyed everything that took place today. Hope to do this again.
Akash Ahmed

I had fun and learnt more things I didn't know before.
Edmond Hansen

I really enjoyed when we were looking at DNA because it was really interesting.
Rahma Usman

I liked the hunting for clues because you had to think outside the box, which was interesting.
Syed Islam

Enjoyed everything. It was a great experience.
Alfred Kanu

I've enjoyed everything, it's been a pleasure. Thank you!
Mathan Raj

Great fun. Made me think (doesn't happen often!)
Kanza Naseem

Great enjoyment! Love it!
Charlie Murphy

The answering of the questions game (Quizdom) was perfect! I enjoyed it a lot. All the other activities were very enjoyable as well.
Unknown

St Mark's Academy

Blood testing was good because I like Biology and I do Biology. DNA testing was excellent.
Keerthana Sathasivam

I enjoyed it all. It was so fun.
Samantha Hurcumb

I enjoyed everything, it was a great day.
Tyler Harris

I enjoyed everything, helps me to really focus. It felt so real as an experience. Thank you
Mohamed Idle

I enjoyed hunting for clues and the observation test and it is a very different experience.
Rajeswary

I loved it. Great communication
Daniel Ahmed

I enjoyed everything. Helps very well with teamwork. As the Chief of my group I thought that it gave me good leadership skills.
Wayne Heron

The observation test was genuinely the most exciting. Helps to develop team skills between people you may not know.
Deilfraz Mahmood

Wade Deacon School

It was good doing fingerprinting. It was good doing practicals. We did something we wouldn't do in school.
Craig Scott

I really enjoyed everything and I learned lots of new things.
Nathan Woodward

I thought it was really good. I enjoyed everything, it was like it was really
Lucy T

I thought today was great and really useful, it really helped with teamwork. I enjoyed today and think it should be done again. It's been a pleasure to work with different people.
Victoria Waterhouse

The Dearne High School

I enjoyed the quiz using the hand sets that was good as we got our own individual chance to do our own work. I really enjoyed today and it was interesting and useful.
Daniel Holliushead

I really enjoyed the day as a whole there was nothing that I didn't enjoy, it was all incredibly interesting and I would recommend the day.
Scott Boadman

I liked hunting for clues the best because I like searching for things and working things out. Overall a great day.
Benjamin Sidebottom

I really enjoyed the DNA testing because I like accusing people of murder.
Corey Warrior

I thought today was really enjoyable and good, I enjoyed the blood lab and the DNA testing!
Fay Guest

I thought today was really good, I enjoyed hunting for clues alot, I really enjoyed everything.
Amy Rydelenski

The Dearne High School

It was awesome!!!
Shannon Parker

It was fantastic. I think this was fab and I'd do it again
Emily Fisher

I enjoyed everything! Thank you!
Becky Peters

 

Comments about the TARGET:MARS Adventure

"I was sceptical about a week of science…… but it was brilliant! The work we did was interesting and allowed us to be independent. I loved the rocket work and the disease spreading….. I've never laughed so hard in my life. The bidding was great too and the sand was so cool!" Emma Connelly (secondary)

"The week has been brilliant! I don't think I've ever done so much science in my life. I think it has kept my brain going over the summer and not let me forget my schoolwork. It has been really exciting doing all the challenges. Overall…..brilliant!" Jenni Whitaker (secondary)

"I have enjoyed this whole week! I liked all the adventures and my favourite was the buggy race. This week I have met new people and have learned new things." Unknown (secondary)

"It has been a great week! It was so fun I would like to do it again! All of the events were fun." Isaac Brownbridge (secondary)

"This taught me a lot; how to plan tasks, how to make friends, how to work effectively as a team. My favourite task was the electronics (I recommend it a lot!)" Lara Hyson (secondary)

"I liked the blood analysis because it's like what they do on CSI:Investigation." Ashton Downey (secondary)

"I really enjoyed preparing for the conference and being trained for pioneers of the future. As the HRM I have learned to be a better leader and organiser and I really enjoyed myself. I enjoyed making the bridge and the robot." Alyss Robinson (secondary)

"I love the fact that the resources were plentiful. I also loved the fact that the whole camp was a story and every stage resulted in something different. I think the fact that we were playing with money made us all try even more. I think it was a really good camp." Helen Taylor (secondary)

"I enjoyed all of it but most of all I enjoyed the part where I found out me and Megan were terrorists from saliva swapping. The bridge was fun building and testing. The building the buggy was very good because we worked together. The rocket was brilliant for teamwork." Hannah McKenzie (secondary)

"Wow! This event was great! I learnt a lot but also had so much fun! Each activity was fun and I would consider doing it again! Thanks" Bethan Cousins (secondary)

"It was an excellent way to learn about science. Sometimes science can be boring but Aspire more able has made it really enjoyable!" Abbey Savage (secondary)

"I enjoyed the robot designing, the buggy race, the death challenges and races. It was a worthwhile event. I built towers and alarms. I had fun testing the Landers to see if our crew survived and nothing in the whole 3-day workshop has been bad." Brandon Carey (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed the sand analysis as I like to make my own experiments and testing the sands were great fun. I also enjoyed making the space Lander and trying to track down the terrorists. I enjoyed the clips we watched and I learnt a lot." Sophie Lorenz (Secondary)

"I found the 3 days we spent on activities from Aspire more able were excellent. At no point was I bored. I wish science was like this in school. I have no complaints." Kate Alexander (secondary)

"I have enjoyed many events throughout the past three days and it was really good to try out new experiences and challenges. Prior to this, I had already been to a one-day course so I knew what to expect but I still was amazed. It would be a near impossible feat to extract an event I enjoyed the most even though they were greatly ranged." Callum Harris (secondary)

"I have really enjoyed this week. I cannot think of a bad moment or a favourite, because it was all-excellent. I hope you can come back next year, and I hope next years group will enjoy it as much as we did." Jacob Connor (secondary)

"I have really enjoyed Target: Mars, I enjoyed the experiment that would not be possible with standard school equipment. I found the terrorist plots intriguing and enjoyed the terrorist investigation we had to carry out. I enjoyed making the buggy, and I enjoyed most of the challenges. Target: Mars will stick with me, and may help me in future academic experiments." Unknown (secondary)

"The week was very informative and fun and had tasks for all kinds such as making, designing, brainwork, and experiments. I highly recommend it!" Megan Street (Secondary)

"This week has been the best week I've had in school in ages. I think our team worked well together, which was really good as I worked with people I wouldn't usually work with" Anthony Burrell (Yr 9)

"It was fantastic! It was very educational and fun at the same time. I really enjoyed designing, making and the chemistry. I have learnt loads and will recommend this event to anyone. I would definitely do it again." Jessica Bird (secondary)

"I enjoyed the whole week, especially the microscience experiments and the bicarbonate & water experiment. It was interesting and fun and I had fun all week. I feel I have learnt lots of new things and really enjoyed the week." Georgina Lambot (secondary)

"I think the week has been a great experience for me and I particularly enjoyed the robot building. There wasn't any event that I didn't enjoy, and I think this experience will help me greatly." Michael Bird (secondary)

"I enjoyed most of today's activities because they were lots of fun and everyone got involved even if they are normally shy." Rachael. C (secondary)

"I enjoyed everything overall. I would love to do it again!! - Please come back next week!!" Victoria Fern (secondary)

"I enjoyed it very much because we got to construct our own trip to mars…" Harry Pocock (secondary)

"I liked it really because it was fun, scary and exciting and serious it was great to test new things that I'd never thought about doing." Melodie (primary)

"Enjoyed Gotcha. Enjoyed saliva tests. Enjoyed presenting. Enjoyed making buggy. I didn't die - yay!" Ali Ceiloarts (Yr 7)

"This school week was by far the most exciting and useful I have experienced in a long time. Part of the reason I enjoyed it so much was the ongoing Target:Mars story that progressed throughout the week, but it was also a great opportunity to work with new people. My favourite challenge was the Robot Rovers, as I have never programmed a real robot before." Paula Trott (Yr 9)

"It wasn't school (which is really good). Really fun challenges (with twists!). I loved the money part, it made the week more fun! Really fun experiments! Gotcha game was wicked! Excellent week! Keeps you on your toes!" Sophie Wilson (Yr 9)

"I have enjoyed this week loads, it was great fun and I learnt a lot. I got to use fascinating new equipment which I don't normally use in school. It was great to work with new people and the challenges and sub-challenges were really enjoyable." Alex Penson (Yr 10)

"I loved everything and there is another main benefit that has come out of this aswell. I used to do standard work, but now I'll take my time and do all of the work neatly, because it's enjoyable now." Sam Imbrey (Yr 8)

"I had a really great time and have done a lot. I was apprehensive at first but ended up having a brilliant time. I really enjoyed problem solving and 'gotcha'. I've met a load of great new people, some of who weren't even in my team! It's a great laugh!" Mark Plested (Yr 10)

"I liked all of the surprises during the tasks. I found the activities challenging but enjoyed them and learnt a lot. I enjoyed the experiments with the industrial and medical kits - especially ELISA." Matt Boyton (Yr 8)

"I really enjoyed today it was very fun and I really liked making the alarm. Thank you for having me." Karanvir Sanoha (Secondary)

"I really liked the Robot Rovers because it was something I have never done before." Hannah Chester (Secondary)

"I learnt a lot. Everything was challenging but fun. I made new friends and I learnt things that I didn't know before." Paloma Foot (Secondary)

"I liked the Sabotage Bomb because it was very nerve-wracking." Florence Taylor (Secondary)

"Overall I thought the 3 days were brilliant and I thoroughly enjoyed it. To be truthful I woke up on Monday morning thinking, "why did I apply to do this!" But at the end of the 3 days I am really glad I did as I have enjoyed it so much and got so much out of it. I enjoyed being challenged and having to think for myself rather than being fed the answers. I really enjoyed it, especially the practical challenges. Cheers!" Unknown (Secondary)

"I didn't think it would be good before I came but when I got here I found out it was. It was really fun and not like a science lesson at all. It was exciting but also got you thinking. We worked in different groups so got to know new people. The challenges were quite hard but were also enjoyable. It was a brilliant 3 days and I definitely would recommend it." Hannah Roberts (Secondary)

"I enjoyed every event although I particularly enjoyed Sabotage Bomb, Disease Outbreak, Rockets to Earth and Mars Lander. It was really fun and nothing like I expected, but for the better. I'd like to go to the full 5-day event; I would defiantly recommend this event." Loina Shaw (Secondary)

"It was a once in a lifetime experience, which I will never forget. It was fun and useful. These sessions built my confidence, increased my knowledge and also provided more interest in science. I really enjoyed all the 3-day sessions. I thought this was nothing like school and would love to do it again. It was a challenge that I will always remember and would like my friends to join these sessions." Naila Bibi (Secondary)

"I enjoyed the feel of the event and I love the fact that I never died over all 3 days." Abigail Law (Secondary)

"Great experience to have! And a great event to be part of." Hannah Quigley (Secondary)

"I thought it was fab! I learnt a lot and it was really challenging but so enjoyable and beneficial. A brilliant few days! I'd do it again!" Sophie Perry (Secondary)

"This has been the best activity this summer and there is nothing I would give a bad review to because they have all been the best of fun." Andrew Wilkinson (Secondary)

"Target Mars was the best thing I've ever done from Sabotage to Rockets to Earth, Target Mars was a fully enjoyable experience from start to finish." Emily Walker (Secondary)

"This week I have enjoyed mostly the practical side of everything especially the Mars Lander and Robot Rovers. This experience will never leave me. I would do it again without hesitating. I especially liked the investment & moneymaking decision (I was HRM) but even though we didn't do to good, it was all worth it." Tom Bolton (Secondary)

"I enjoyed learning new things and different techniques for learning and how to solve problems. I really enjoyed the disease outbreak part of it. I thought it was extremely good that we got to work with different people and use the real equipment, as we don't usually get to use things like that" Jen Ready (Secondary)

"I liked this week because it was good fun and I have done lots of interesting tasks. I liked building the Rover and doing the Electronics because they were challenging and made me think. The Rover did well as well because even though it was slow it had loads of room for eggs and oxygen balls. I liked just about everything and had a great week." Douglas Hallett (Secondary)

"I think this week has been excellently organised and run. I particularly enjoyed the Tower challenge. I like the way all organisation was left to us. Also the organisation of the money and the distribution of it was very life like." Alistair Docherty (Secondary)

"This week I have enjoyed all the challenges I participated in. All the activities were either fun or informative. There was nothing I did not like. I liked working with different people. This project has helped me immensely in learning and later life." Kit Woodhouse (Secondary)

"I have really enjoyed this week and it has been really worthwhile. I really enjoyed making the Robot Rovers even though I found it quite challenging. It has been really good working in groups with people I wouldn't normally work with. It has been really enjoyable and different." Carla Bissell (Secondary)

"I think this week has been good as everyone had a chance to participate in challenges and to help the team be successful. I think everyone has contributed well to all the projects. I enjoyed making the Robots because it was something that I thought we did well and I thought I could do it easily. I was in a good pair and we worked well as a team. Also making the model for the project was worthwhile as I think it may earn us points." Lauren Taylor (Secondary)

"I have really enjoyed this week. The Disease Outbreak was really interesting to do and see how easy it is to get infected. Towering Ambition was also good and I enjoyed researching for the end of week presentation. I really loved putting that presentation on because I enjoy speaking to a crowd but in a group. An excellent week, I would love to do it again 10/10." Emma Taylor (Secondary)

"I found the Towering Ambition challenge and programming a robot fun. Once you start you just want to finish it. Investments were fun too, especially because our team were ahead. Although I am not competitive it felt good to be winning. I would recommend the event in the future to other people." Sam Peacock (Secondary)

"I liked this week because it contained many fun and interesting activities that I thoroughly enjoyed. I enjoyed making the Robot Rover the most because it was fun, useful and very practical." Stephen Cronin (Secondary)

"This week has been really good; the tasks were challenging and really fun to work in groups." Jessica Banks (Secondary)

"I had a great time. It was very enjoyable and I am very grateful for the chance to take part in this event. I would strongly advise people to take part in this event. It is very good for team building and your attitude to hard work. It overall has been a very worthwhile experience." Katy Godwin (Secondary)

"This week has been enjoyable and I think that I have benefited from it. I found that the challenges were hard but fun and I enjoyed taking part in them." Fiona Bryson (Secondary)

"This week I have enjoyed working with new people and the competition of being against other teams. I liked the challenges, especially the straws construction. This week was much better than a week at school, and I'd choose it again any day. Thank you for a good time!" Laura Walsh (Secondary)

"This week has been an experience. I found it extremely interesting and I would love to do it again. My favourite part of the week was the construction as I felt I excelled in this subject even though our end products weren't great. I also enjoyed bidding for our teams and projects because I thought it was a great way to pick fair teams." Alex Prince (Secondary)

"I enjoyed the whole week. I think my favourite thing was building the Mars Lander. I also enjoyed the project work and building our model dome base camp. I think I learned how to work as part of a team and also how to manage a group and also to work with people that I wouldn't normally work with. It was a very interesting and enjoyable experience that I would definitely do again. It has made me enjoy science more than before and I have also learnt a lot." Ellie Stott (Secondary)

"I have really enjoyed this week tremendously and feel I have benefited from the experience. I really enjoyed making the robots. Also I have met people in my year I didn't previously know. I thought this was a fantastic experience and gave us useful help for later life. Thank you for the experience." Alice Byron (Secondary)

"I enjoyed making the Mars Explorers and I enjoyed making the badges. I also liked watching the other teams projects and watching everyone test what they had made like the Mars Lander. I enjoyed filming this as well."
Hannah Barlow

"I thought that this week was very fun and I had very enjoyable time. I would do this course again. I thought that some of the tasks were very challenging but some of them were easier. I thought that all the decisions were made fairly and this made the week even more amazing. I think that a lot of the tasks were specifically designed to help us in the near future. The part I found most enjoyable was the making of the robots. Thanks Matt I had a fab time." Sashika Young (Secondary)

"This week I enjoyed it especially because I did things that I never dreamed of doing until university. This was a real chance of a lifetime" Unknown (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed testing to see if we had the disease. I enjoyed this because it was very real and taught me a lot." Pippa Highley (Secondary)

"I found it really fun and I loved the Robot Rovers and Blood Analysis. It forced me to plan for once instead of running head first into things. I loved Gotcha." Emily Troup (Secondary)

"Everything was enjoyable, it made science fun" Charlie Tippett (Secondary)

"I really liked all the practicals and the death games. I loved Gotcha, although it made you really paranoid all the time. Anything I haven't mentioned it must have been too good to recall." Francesca Twynam (Secondary)

"This week I really enjoyed doing the bio terrorist thing as it called for cool logic & I enjoy doing that. I also really liked doing the Martian Sand Analysis as it really made me think outside the box." Naomi Blair (Secondary)

"Buggy making was best because we won! It was really fun (and hard!) making the buggy, and quite funny when it went wrong." Corrie Jones (Secondary)

"Best week - Matt was best teacher ever. If I could do this for eternity I would." Stuart Grantham (Secondary)

"I liked making the buggy and I like watching the landers and towers. Sabotage was fun and so was the final challenge. I enjoyed this week." Jack Davies (Secondary)

"Science has never been more fun." Eleanor Smith-King (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed Gotcha because it required things which I'm better at than other things. The saliva testing was also fun because I found it challenging." Charlotte Owens (Secondary)

"I had a lot of fun this week and particularly enjoyed being the Bio terrorist! All the tasks were challenging, and the teachers/helpers guided us, but did not spoon-feed us. Overall it was great, thank you very much!" Pippa Jones (Secondary)

"I enjoyed the Gotcha game because it was exciting but it was nerve wracking and made us all paranoid." Eve Keketus (Secondary)

"I thought it was good, it didn't seem like science, it was fantastic, great fun, would do it again." Unknown (Secondary)

"It wasn't school (which is really good). Really fun challenges (with twists!). I loved the money point's part, it made the week more fun! Really fun experiments! Gotcha game was wicked! Excellent week! Keeps you on your toes!" Sophie Wilson (Secondary)

"I have really enjoyed this week. At first I thought it would be boring, like school, but in the end I had an excellent time. I would definitely come to an Aspire summer school again, it was brill!" Lydia (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed this week! Everything was really fun - and the team rivalry rocked! (Plus we won!) It was brill!" Be Cowan (Secondary)

"I enjoyed working in different groups and getting to know people. I also enjoyed the bidding and learning to manage money." Tammy (Secondary)

"Matt woz GR8! I really enjoyed working in a group and keeping all our money! I would def do it again!" Kate B (Secondary)

"It was fun and a great thing to do in the holidays!" Grace (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed making the Mars Landers and the other design throughout the day. It was good working with new people. Some of the mental challenges were difficult but were good to test skills." Kathryn Turner (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed working as a team on particular tasks. Splitting off was good too. The tasks were challenging but enjoyable at the same time. I really learnt well, as it was in an exciting environment. I would recommend this event to anyone interested in science." Emily Dixon (Secondary)

"I thought the week was very handy and fun. It was handy because I learnt new stuff and understand science more. It was fun because we got to work with our friends and do fun experiments." Alex (Yr 6)

"I enjoyed so many things this week. It made me see astronomy and science and ICT in a new light. If my secondary school is going be this good, I'd pay for it!" Louis Mekier (Secondary)

"I think this week has been a real challenge, which is good because it's always fun to work on a new challenge. It's something more interesting to do in the holiday. I have learnt many things and met new people. So I thank everyone who is working on Target Mars for running this scheme, thanks." Lewis Blakey (Secondary)

"I thought this week was brilliant. I really liked making the presentations; it's a real tiebreaker. It was a very practical and hands-on experience; I'd love to do it again." Kristjan Moore (Secondary)

"I liked all of it! It was all really fun and informative! My favourite part was either the bidding war or magic sand! Everyone was really nice and everyone had fun." Ellie (Secondary)

"The whole week couldn't have been better." Alex Tait (Secondary)

"I enjoyed this week. To be honest, I thought it would be boring and just like school, but it wasn't, it was fun!" Gemma M-P (Secondary)

"In this summer school I would say that pretty much everything I enjoyed (except waking up early that is!) The saliva testing was fun and even though our tower kept falling over, that was also good." Anthony Blair (Secondary)

"I enjoyed the teamwork that we did; I liked it when we won money it made the tasks more tense. I liked the blood testing and especially the sand." Hannah Dorman (Secondary)

"I really enjoyed doing 'Target:Mars" this week. I enjoyed working in my team. ELISA and the substance identification experiment were really good fun." Kathryn Bate (Yr 10)

"I enjoyed the bidding the most, it was such a great way to choose (the team). The experiments were excellent because we could do things and use equipment we don't normally do." Banita Dhungana (Yr 9)

"I found that this week was brilliant, the events had just the right amount of fun and learning in them. This week's been really enjoyable and I wish it had lasted for longer" Unknown (Secondary)

"I learnt a lot of new science and mathematical techniques. I enjoyed the data analysis and the construction challenges especially." James Bickley (Secondary)

"The lander challenge was really fun, the way it was set up was brilliant. Thank you for the week - it was brilliant" Gary Davis (Yr 9)

"This week we have faced many different types of challenges. We had the challenges set for the group, as well as the challenge of working with people we didn't know. This has been a great week and we have achieved something." Charlotte Holland (Yr 9)

"I enjoyed working with new people. The 'outbreak' was good. The fact that there were games like 'Gotcha' going on aswell made it more fun. I like the fact we were given the freedom to do our research projects." Chris Robinson (Secondary)

"Altogether this week has been great..we worked well together as a group..I wish it would happen more often." Tim Shand (Yr 9)

"As a consultant, I feel that I have done well this week, managing to approach the task in a number of different ways. Cheers for a good week, I enjoyed it." Samantha Warren (Yr 9)

"A lot of fun, we worked well as a team and nobody has any conflicts with team mates. We have got a lot done, everyone's helping each other out...a lot of fun!" Theodore Whittington (Yr 9)

"I found out that I had got my job of 'Human Resources Manager' and had to bid for my team. I loved this random way of choosing! It was good because we had to interact with each other although we weren't particularly friends. Today was soooo interesting! We also had to do a flying course - which was a huge laugh!" Hannah Ellis (Yr 9)

"Today was another good day. We had a class challenge, we were last to finish and Mr Hackett said it was like a James Bond movie because we handed in the right answer just before the deadline, so we (their characters!) didn't die! I have had a fun week, I enjoyed it!" Naomi Barber (Yr 9)

"This past week has been good and helped me understand more to do with science. We also got to do things that we wouldn't have done normally in school." Alice Beck (Secondary)

"The week is going really quick and I'm really enjoying it. We've all done some really good research. I also did a slide-show for the presentation - it looks good" Imogen Lakey (Yr 9)

"Today is officially Mars day and we should remember the crew of Apollo 2004 - one of the most successful missions mankind has ever seen. So let's look back at the wonderful time of Apollo 2004: -
a) Our team worked well in everything: our challenges and general cooperation
(b) Our project came together well, with a lot of information
(c) Most of all, only our dearest researcher died! All in all, it was great" Luke Foreman (Yr 9)

"I thought the SETI challenge was amazing. I found it challenging but also really fun. I have learnt many things that I wouldn't have thought of and thought the whole experience was amazing. I am glad I was chosen to do it. Thank you." Harriet Grainger (secondary)

"I have learnt many different things that I wouldn't normally have thought about doing like the electronics. It has been a great experience and it has made me able to do things and solve problems in the future (work etc.). Thank you for a wonderful day!" Louise Paveling (secondary)

"I enjoyed the way the 'Target:Mars' crew made the pupils know what NASA face when they send astronauts outer space. I enjoyed the way that we used the equipment and did experiments that scientists face." Tom Critchell (secondary)

"I enjoyed the substance ID, outbreak analysis and blood testing the most as I think they will be the most helpful in my GCSEs and will also help me when I train to be a doctor." Caitlin Frazer (secondary)

"I really enjoyed this as the different experiments/challenges were nothing like I had ever done before and they were very fun. I enjoyed most if not all the challenges and would love to do this again." Emma Cooper (secondary)

"I enjoyed the variety of experiments. The 2 workers were really good fun and made the whole visit very much enjoyable. I really liked making the tower. It was funny watching our lander crash to defeat!" James Smee (secondary)

"The whole day was really good and the activities were really interesting. I wish we could have days off timetable like this more often." Archie Pearman (secondary)

"I really enjoyed everything this week. It was a really worthwhile experience and I would recommend it to everyone even if they are not particularly scientifically able." Megan Greenwood (secondary)

PARENTAL COMMENTS ABOUT 'TARGET MARS':

"He loved the opportunity and benefited from it"

"The programme provided a good learning experience which was hugely enjoyed"

"We can't fault it, a great week"

"The only downside is that he wishes school could be more like this event!"

"Our daughter gained from working with a 'like-minded' group..Thank you all."

"A very good initiative."

"Our son was motivated by the experience. He commented that it was nice to be able to work with other pupils who want to be there and who participate because they want to learn."

"Her confidence in answering questions improved - due to the fact that if the answer was wrong she wasn't ridiculed or made to feel inadequate. There seemed to be a mutual respect between students and teachers."