One of the ways you can do an EPQ (extended project qualification) is by creating an artefact and writing a short report to back it up. This article will go over several EPQ artefact ideas to help you create an awesome EPQ artefact project.
An artefact is a practical project that students undertake as an alternative to the EPQ dissertation of 5000 words. Just like other EPQ projects, for an artefact, you must
- maintain a detailed production log
- complete a research based written report of a 1000 words
- create an artefact/final project
As long as it is research-based, there are almost no limits as to what can be considered an EPQ artefact project. Some common EPQ artefact project ideas include books, short films, presentations, and events such as fashion shows.
Disclaimer: We are only listing ideas our expert panel has come up with or students have suggested online. You must discuss your EPQ artefact idea with your supervisor before implementing it. Your supervisor would be able to assess whether your artefact project is acceptable, suitable, appropriate, and sufficiently complex to help you get the maximum marks possible.
First, we will go over generic EPQ artefact ideas that can be used for all A-level subjects. Then, we will move on to subject-specific EPQ artefact ideas.
Here is a list of EPQ artefact ideas:
- Book
- Video
- Original Research and Experimentation
- Prototype
- App
- Creative Writing
- Event
We will go over each of these EPQ artefact ideas in detail and explore how you can create a stellar project so that you get the marks you deserve.
1. Book
You will be writing a short book for this EPQ artefact idea.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
The book could either be fiction or non-fiction. The book could be practically anything as long as you have used a wide range of resources, the process is well documented, and there is sufficient complexity in the project.
The book should have a similar word count as a typical EPQ dissertation (5000 words), but straying from the word count is acceptable as long as it is reasonable.
Here are some ideas you can explore:
- Self help books
- Academic books
- Short stories
- Biggest problem facing your industry and your solution for it
- Your hometown’s history
- Series of blog posts
- An interview book
- Try out something new and document your experience
- Tips to earn a living from creative work
- Peronal finance tips and strategies
- Book highlighting the common beliefs of a particular religion
- Analyse public policiy, laws, ideologies etc
- Best practices for start-ups
- Changes to the school curriculum
- Guide book for interior designers, tailors, photographers and so on
- Alternate ending to a popular story
- A book you wish existed
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
You can use the internet, case studies, other books, images, well-reputed websites, relevant professionals, and documentaries to ensure your non-fiction book is factually correct. It would be highly useful to get a second pair of eyes to go over your book and the resources you have used to make certain there are no inconsistencies.
You must mention your use of multiple resources even if you plan to take a fictional route for your EPQ. Fictional writers can research writing techniques, storytelling approaches, popular fiction books and the author’s style, methods to cultivate suspense/humour/excitement, and how to write for a specific audience.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
The correct use of language is extremely important when writing a book. You would want to research and implement the technical jargon to demonstrate to the examiner that you have in-depth knowledge about your EPQ artefact topic.
Moreover, advanced literary devices such as alliteration, allusion, foreshadowing, symbolism, euphemism, hyperbole, irony, and juxtaposition will enhance your writing. Examiners will be happy to award additional maks to more advanced forms of writing.
2. Video
You will be producing a short video for this EPQ artefact idea.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
Similar to a book, you will have nearly endless possibilities when it comes to producing a video. You should confirm the time limit of your video with your EPQ artefact supervisor. You should also consider discussing with your supervisor about your 10-minute presentation.
Here are some ideas to steer you in the right direction:
- Documentary
- Comic Video
- Short Film
- Live Action Video
- Animation
- Whiteboard Video
- Motion Graphics Video
- Typography Video
- Interview Video
- Vlog
- Tutorial
- DIY
- VR
- Short Film
- Educational Video
- Screencast Video
- Comedy Videos
- Analytical Video
- Review Video
- Silent Film
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
Assuming you have no prior knowledge about creating videos you can mention all the resources you used to create the video. In the 1000 word report, you can tell the examiners the video editing software and techniques you used, the videos you saw for inspiration, and the books/guides/broadcasts/websites you went through to further your knowledge about video making.
The examiners are not particularly concerned about the actual resources you used rather they want to see a development of ideas, personal growth, struggles you faced, and the approaches you took to overcome those obstacles. The examiners are interested in the final product but how you managed to get there is equally important to them.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
You can use advanced video editing techniques such as cross-cutting, continuity editing, deep focus, dissolve, flashback, jump-cut, storyboard, tilt, and zoom. Similarly, you can use various sound and lighting techniques to increase the complexity of your final project.
3. Original Research and Experimentation
For this EPQ artefact idea, you will be conducting original research or an experiment and documenting the process.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
You can choose any topic for your original research and experimentation as long as it has a well-defined purpose. You must be unbiased when you conduct the required research and experimentation.
You do not necessarily have to experiment on something that has never been done before. Improving a previously conducted experiment would work for this EPQ artefact project. Reconfirming the artefact project with your EPQ supervisor would be a great way to ensure you fulfil all the requirements.
Here are some ideas you can consider:
- Comparative analysis of factors that affect plant growth
- Design and build a robot which serves a specific purpose
- Role of genetics in figerprint samples
- Comparision of the efficiency of various computer algorithms
- Effect of caffeine on typing, driving, studying etc.
- Exploring the efficency of lactase enzyme on lactose
- How fast does milk go bad in different environmental conditions
- Role of different colours in memory retention and overall learning.
- Do colours have the ability to affect ones mood
- Maximum amount of information you can store in your short term memory
- How detrimental is skipping breakfast
- Impact of fitness in ones overall well being.
- Does it matter what time you sleep if you get 8 hours of sleep everyday
- Comparative analysis of sleeping 8, 7, 6, 5, 4 hours
- Does everyone need the same amount of sleep for optimal performance
- Are people going to spend less time on a website/app if there are ads on it
- Why are certain movies more popular than others
- Why do people watch some movies several times but only watch others once
- How do people determine which movie to watch next; Netflix, Youtube, Family, Friends.
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
For this EPQ artefact idea, you should thoroughly research how to conduct experiments in an unbiased manner. Moreover, you can search for similar experiments and see how they were performed. Identifying weaknesses in previously carried out experiments will help you design better investigations.
You should also research how to lessen environmental effects and use controls to increase the accuracy of the test and enable you to get better conclusions. Researching around the topic will help you understand the scientific reasoning of why something occurred and analyse the data better.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
You can make your artefact idea more complex by adding control groups, repeating the experiment to reduce errors, improving the original design, and increasing the sample size. Moreover, after trying out various graphing and data presentation techniques you can select the most suitable one for your experiment.
4. Prototype
For this EPQ artefact idea, you will be creating a prototype.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
A prototype is essentially the preliminary version of a device or model from which other forms are developed. Prototypes are created to validate the design of the original product, demonstrate to investors or licensees, and improve the final product.
The prototype may be a 3D physical object such as a shoe, a digital product such as an app/website, or a sketch/drawing. It is essential to have a good reason for creating the prototype. Once again, discussing your EPQ artefact idea with your supervisor is the best way to ensure your prototype is acceptable to the examining body (AQA, OCR, Edexcel).
There are three main types of prototypes:
- Functional Prototypes: are designed to imitate the functions of the actual product, regardless of whether they look like the real product or not.
- Display Prototypes: represent the actual product very well in terms of how they look and feel. Replicating the fucntions of the actual product is not important.
- Miniatures: are usually smaller and more basic versions of the actual product. Miniatures tend to focus on both the functionality and display aspects; but often lack several qualities that are present in the actual product.
Here are some prototype ideas that you can explore for your EPQ artefact:
- Clickable website
- Clickable app
- Online shopping
- Sketches of new designs
- Heat repellent housing
- New buildings
- Futuristic building
- Potential experiments
- Role playing to act out a service
- Furniture designs
- Smartphone designs
- Computer designs
- Comfortable airplane seat designs
- Lighting designs
- Theatre seating designs
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
Like all other EPQ artefact ideas, you must document the research process for a prototype. First and foremost you should research the type of prototype that would be the most suitable for your project idea. Then you can look through similar prototypes and see how you can improve them. You could improve the first draft of your prototype by asking a relevant professional to critique the design.
You should consider several factors such as sturdiness, comfort, wood, and environmental conditions when designing a chair prototype. Simply researching and creating an aesthetic looking chair is not sufficient. You would need to ensure that the chair is sturdy for heavier individuals but also comfortable for petite people.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
Fully understanding the various factors that affect your prototype’s performance and then addressing those factors can help you create a more complex design. Do not expect your prototype to be perfect the first time. Continuous research and constantly improving your prototype is key to getting the best grades possible.
5. App
For this EPQ artefact idea, you will be designing an app.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
There are a plethora of ideas when it comes to developing an app. You can improve an existing app, create an app that has a lot of demand, or develop an app to solve a problem you face yourself.
Most apps are created to improve efficiency or solve a problem. To develop an app, you must learn how to code. If you are good with logic, maths, and highly technical stuff, this EPQ artefact idea will be perfect.
Here are some apps you can develop:
- Timetable app
- Auction app
- Academic performance evaluator and analyser
- Internet speed evaluation app
- Restaurant recommendation app
- Shipping route app
- Shopping app
- Video games
- Board Games
- Shop inventory management app
- Fitness app
- Sleep analyser app
- Ebook builder
- Voting app
- Smart home app
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
If you are new to coding you can watch YouTube videos, take online courses, go through programming websites, and read books to learn how to develop an app. You can go through similar apps, figure out their deficiencies, and create an improved version.
You can research app design and user experience to help you create an easy to use and efficient app. It would be futile to expect the app to be perfect on the first attempt. In-depth research and consistent improvements to the app is what examiners are looking for.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
You can make your app more complex by adding an extra layer of security that asks customers to verify their email address/phone number, modifying the apps so that the owner can earn a commission, and adding notifications to the app.
Additionally, you can integrate AI where possible to make your app more efficient. You can help different users of the app to connect through the app. The possibilities are endless.
6. Creative Writing
For this EPQ artefact project, you will be producing a creative writing piece.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
Your creative writing piece can take any of the following forms: poem, manifesto, document, short story, description, play, skit, movie/television script, speech, memoir.
The main purpose of creative writing is to share human experiences. Creative writing is neither academic nor technical; instead, it is original and self-expressive. These sites here, here, and here will provide you with some excellent creative writing prompts.
Here are some creative writing ideas you can explore:
- Write about a character who can taste people’s emotions through the food they prepare
- Write from the perspective of an advanced AI
- Write from the perspective of a person in the year 2550
- Write from the perspective of an inanimate object in nature, like a rock or the wind
- Write from the perspective of a blind person who comes home to find all the furniture in his/her apartment rearranged
- Imagine you have to hide documents essential to national security somewhere in your office or bedroom and write a story about wherever you think is the best place
- Write a story using only words found in the first and last sentences of each chapter of a book
- Write a story about a character who always repeats themselves
- Write a story about someone losing faith in an institution
- Write about a character with an unassailable moWrite about a character with an unassailable moral compass
- Write about a ship or other vehicle that can take you somewhere different from where you are now.
- Create a poem, short story, or journal entry about a conversation you’ve overheard.
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
You can search the internet for websites, videos, and books to improve your creative writing skills. Moreover, you can study other creative writing pieces to get a better idea of how to write your own. You can take guidance from relevant professionals such as writers, poets, and journalists.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
You can make your EPQ artefact idea more complex by inculcating advanced writing techniques such as capitalizing on themes, emphasizing the important parts, incorporating literary devices, using active voice, and using a wide variety of sentences. Moreover, a thesaurus can help you replace ordinary words with more appropriate diction.
7. Event
For this EPQ artefact project, you will be conducting an event.
What would a basic artefact project look like?
An event is a planned public or social occasion. To conduct a successful event, you will need to do several things such as thorough research, branding and marketing the event, establishing a budget, selecting a good team, planning and coordinating everything.
However, you should discuss your EPQ artefact idea with your supervisor before you carry out the event. This ensures it is an acceptable event and fulfils the requirements needed to get an A*.
Here are some event ideas you can explore:
- Campaign
- Play
- Skit
- Fashion Show
- Award Ceremony
- Conference
- Consumer show
- Debate
- Exibition
- Hackathon
- Interview
- Networking evening
- Presentation
- Q&A session
- Roasts
- Toasts
- Roundtable
- Film screening
- Seminar
- Comedy show
- Talent show
What are some primary and secondary resources you can use?
You can do a comparative analysis of the different types of events and then choose the one which is the most appropriate for your topic. Furthermore, you can go to a live event or watch a few online to get a better outlook of an event.
Speaking to event organisers is an excellent way to increase your knowledge of how events take place. They can provide you with an insiders perspective that you would not be able to find elsewhere.
How to make your EPQ artefact idea more complex?
Luring people with an early bird discount is a great strategy to get early signups for your event. Advanced marketing techniques such as internet marketing, email marketing, local SEO, co-branding, and building an influencer network will help you get a better response from the audience.
Engaging the audience is key to a successful event. Telling interesting stories, sharing personal anecdotes, adjusting your tone where appropriate, being energetic, asking questions, inviting people on stage where possible, and using humour are some of the ways to get your audience more involved in the event.
EPQ Artefact Ideas for Architecture
- Comparative analysis of local architecture styles
- Comparative analysis of architecture styles from a particular era/place.
- Housing prototypes
- Building prototypes
- Futuristic prototypes
- Sketches of a particular building/house/design
- Innovative designs
EPQ Artefact Ideas for Art
- Rain painting
- Wall mural
- Mandela
- 3D sculptures
- Clay pot
- Art journaling
- Caligrapahy
- Abstract painting
- Collage
- Ceramic tile mural
Conclusion
The final product is the most essential part of your EPQ artefact project. However, the report and production log also have a significant impact on your final grade. The EPQ grade is a cumulative one and it is influenced by several factors.
Before you start your EPQ project you must speak to your supervisor who will give you the green signal if he/she feels your project is acceptable and suitable. Moreover, you should also consult them about the implementation of your EPQ artefact idea.
Good Luck!
