Davenies Endeavour Project

As part of the DAS programme, our Year 7 boys take part in the Endeavour Project each year.

In small groups, boys choose an area of interest, research it, and then come up with a presentation method to share their findings with staff and their parents.

On Monday afternoon, the boys showcased their research projects with great enthusiasm and knowledge. This project not only gives them the chance to explore an area of personal interest but also challenges them to learn about how to engage with and teach others.

Our boys wrote the following about their experience:

‘The Endeavour project was a wonderful opportunity. Me and my friend Harvey explored the question ‘has the historical domestication of cats and dogs affected their behaviour and evolutionary future’ – meaning if dogs and cats didn’t meet humans, what would happen. We bought a sculptured dog and a 4-foot plushie dog to bring our stand to life. We had a quiz and pictures of cats and dogs for our stand visitors to look at. Overall it was an incredible experience and my teamwork and organisation definitely improved.’

James, Year 7

‘I loved this project. It was fun and creative, and it allowed us to choose a topic we really cared about. I enjoyed working with my friends, using props, and sharing small ideas that we all loved, which made learning more exciting. Presenting to an audience helped build my confidence and made me feel proud of myself. It did not feel like homework or a task, but a chance to be creative and shine in your own spotlight.

I learned a lot from the Endeavour Project. Firstly, researching skills. I think that this project allowed me to research a topic that I loved with friends. Also, it taught me teamwork. From working on the scripts to deciding the props, it was a joyful experience. Then, there is presenting skills. To complete this project well, everyone in your group needs to know, to an extent, how to deliver your topic. I realised that when you are speaking, it is important to include the audience in some way. This could be through a quiz or by asking them questions. Nevertheless, it can take the heat off you and keep the interest of the audience. In summary, I gained a great deal from the Endeavour Project and am grateful to have had the opportunity to take part.’

Dhruv, Year 7