How to stretch 16yo

[spiritslevel]

Hi all. My son started Level 3 BTEC in engineering in September. He's doing some of Maths A level syllabus alongside so has 3 long days in college and 2 off for home study/coursework. He had originally planned on doing A levels in Maths, Physics and Computer Science. I had privately felt he'd struggle with Maths A level as he had a tutor for all of Y11, was in set 3 but doing higher paper however I knew we'd address that at results time. A week of so before GCSE results he said he'd prefer the BTEC route (with a view to degree apprenticeship at 18) as he didn't feel he could commit to another 2 years of purely academic study plus exam pressure. On results day he got a 5 in Maths (just missed a 6) and got 6's in all other subjects inc separate science and a 7 in DT. He and I were delighted with his results, he'd worked hard. He's smart and learns about the things he loves so easily but isn't classically academic. The results to me said that his decision to pursue BTEC was the correct one and the college were very pleased with his grades and welcoming to him.

Now some weeks in he's finding the BTEC easy and is starting to have regret re A levels. A friend of his has said he should have gone to her college as loads of students who got 6's at GCSE get A's at A level. I don't think that's accurate and there was a thread on MN about this so I've told him to discount that and deep down I think he knew it wasn't correct but still hasn't helped his thinking.

He's aware that a fair number of students leave the BTEC course after a year as they are able to get jobs and the second year is more challenging. I've told him to enjoy the pace and downtime this first year offers in readiness for heavier work ahead. He reads a lot of science books in his spare time, hugely interested in physics.

His tutors have seemed to recognise he's a capable student and do seem to be pushing him as far as the curriculum allows at the moment so I'm confident they will keep him motivated.

I've told him I think the BTEC route is the right one for him, but to anyone with an engineering/science background, what else can I encourage him to do besides reading to ensure he's stretched? Or do you have recommendations as to what he should be reading?

He's a very well rounded lad, really good communicator and affable (weekend job in a coffee shop has been tremendous in developing that) and so I'm really happy with his personal development and how that will help him come apprenticeship searching time.

Bit long - thanks for reading!

My DD's 6th form will only let you take maths & physics with grade 7s, so it sounds as though the BTEC is a good route for him. Have a look at any MOOCs (massive open online courses) which may spark his attention or any public sessions local colleges or universities run.

Thanks so much @Hoghgyni! Just needed that point in the right direction. I'm sure my lad is sussing this out for himself too but want to be encouraging alongside.

Also consider looking into summer schools & work experience schemes. Our local 6th forms work together with a consortium of universities to extend interest in STEM subjects amongst others. They run placement days, competitions etc. It was a long time ago, but when I was a school our 6th form build a plane. I know a local college has built a boat and others work with local disability groups to design gadgets and equipment which will solve problems for them. All those type of activities would give your DS an extra challenge. The BTEC is probably a lot more fun than the A levels from your DS's perspective!

Glad I asked @Hoghgyni, thanks! I think the college will facilitate some of this, they've already got a trip to BAE maritime planned and a visit to a uni who offer the degree for apprentices so they are quite proactive but lots for us to be looking into there.

My son did feel like the cat's pyjamas when he got his first set of overalls and work boots for the practicals!

He wouldn't have managed A level. I was extremely academic, all A* and A at GCSE and did Chemistry, History, English and another humanity at A Level.

I got AAAU at a level - chemistry was insane. It was such a huge leap from GCSE and you have less help. I bombed it and it really shattered my confidence.

I have a Masters degree too so I'm not thick. He's fine the right thing.

Done*

Also I ended up in an apprenticeship after my MA anyway. Grad jobs etc are stupidly competitive and apprenticeships let you sneak in under that barrier.

Thanks @LemonPrism, really reassuring.

He's coming top in tests and assessments during lessons and that's happened for him very rarely so it's a good confidence boost for him.

There are some great science TED talks. Look for Oxford Maths on FB for videos, the latest was the maths of football.

Remind him that btec hasn't closed the door to university if he's changed his mind about apprenticeship. www.manchester.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applications/entry-requirements/uk-entry-requirements/

Thanks so much @LoveGrowsWhere - I've had great advice today!

Small piece trust run interesting looking stem workshops and summer school things also check out the RI for events and trying different things ..imperial uni also had some interesting ideas and do events too

Does his college offer the EPQ? I don't think it's limited to people doing A levels?

Also does the college offer science enrichment activities generally? You've mentioned the visits etc, has he looked at other things like CREST? www.crestawards.org/

A level maths is incredibly difficult. Even teens with 7, 8, & 9 at gcse find it tricky. It’s a huge jump. You’ve both chosen well. Is he aiming for distinctions in his BTEC? Definitely look at the MOOC as most are free too!!

He should be able to tinker around on a computer - learn some python, look up raspberry pi and arduino to see the kind of projects people do and put online.

Also look up things like amateur radio clubs (a lot of electronics and Physics) and maker clubs. I don’t know what the policy is with older teens - whether they need parents there or whether the teen can go by themselves.

Could he do Core Maths A'level. It is more applied to real life than normal A'level, but does keep the Maths going. My DD was interested if she'd gone to the other college.

As mentioned above look at MOOC lots are free, some are self guided and some start in January.

BTECs do not close doors, you can still go to university with them. A level maths is a hard slog for anyone who needed a tutor to get them through GCSE, my son's sixth form want a 6 for maths. He may well have struggled. BTECs were the right choice at the time.

If it helps, Ds is doing maths and further maths (he got a 9 at GCSE) and is only now finding the work to be a challenge this week, for the last 5 weeks in all his subjects he has found it too easy but he did get 9s in them all. We know this will get more difficult, so he has used his time to expand his knowledge.

Thanks all for the great advice and reassurance. He's looking at Crest with one of his tutors and into MOOC. The engineering maths module is challenging him but he's enjoying it and keeping up. He's aiming for Distinctions in his modules. In some spare time he's coding and doing something with circuit boards. He's also working on something to do with solar panels to power his tropical fish tank and has just 3D printed me a little cat