Second year Science students at the College recently had the opportunity to study causes and aftermaths of fires, courtesy of the fire brigade!
The College prides itself on providing well-rounded education to all of its students, on giving them a true educational experience which will remain strongly relevant for them beyond their college years. To do this the College undertakes trips to local and national businesses and places of interest, and invites employers and industry leaders into the College for discussions and lectures.
Students on the popular Vocational Science course have previously participated in a wide range of activities to enhance their learning experience, visiting places of interest such as Christie’s Hospital, Ainsdale Beach, and even NOWGEN Genetics, a centre of excellence in public engagement, education and professional training in biomedicine.
Most recently, the students had a fantastic opportunity to supplement their learning for their Forensic Fire Investigation unit with the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, witnessing for themselves the damage that fire can cause – and how easily it can spread!
Six members of the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, astride their fire engine, visited the College, where they set up three demonstrations for the students. The students had to examine the evidence presented and decide on the cause of the fires. The three demonstrations were of a burned dummy with a dropped cigarette, burned curtains (near a candle stub) and a blackened mess caused by an overheated battery in a teddy bear!
In thanks for the firefighters giving up their time and energy to create the scenarios, some of the students who are over 18 will be participating in the Beat the Firefighter Challenge. The challenge requires individuals to compete against firefighters and team mates in a day of strength and endurance tests designed to put Lancashire’s best through their paces – so it will be incredibly difficult for the students who have agreed to take part!
