Outreach
This activity is about promoting Electrical and Electronic Engineering to the wider community including school children, teachers and the general public.
Electrical and Electronic Engineering is not well understood as a discipline partly because there is no direct mapping on to existing A level qualifications, but also because a lot of electrical engineering activity often appears to go on in the “background”, but actually forms the heart of much of our everyday lives; from getting to work or school, phoning friends, watching TV or surfing the internet.
By engaging in the activities outlined below we hope to explain what we do and to show people that very rewarding and well paid careers are on offer within electrical and electronic engineering. We will also show you that it places students directly at the cutting edge of new technology, whether that’s an eco-friendly electric car to get you to work, a quantum photonic cryptography system to keep your credit card PIN numbers safe or the latest in mobile communications technology.
Students-into-Schools
Through funding from the Widening Participation Office at the University, this is now an ongoing outreach programme whereby our current undergraduate students go out into schools across the country to explain to young people what life is like at University and what they do as part of their Electrical and Electronic Engineering degree.
If you are interested in having a student visit your school, or would like to talk further about this activity, please contact Lucy Dicks.
Science Alive
Science Alive! is the University's contribution to National Science and Engineering Week, co-ordinated by the Centre for Public Engagement. It is a biennial festival that provides an opportunity for people of all ages, from all areas and organisations to take part in science, engineering and technology activities.
The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering took part Science Alive! 2008, held in Bristol’s Broadmead Mall Galleries on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th March, with two demonstrations. The first stall demonstrated to visitors how energy can be ‘scavenged’ from everyday activities that are taking place all around us; for example, an accelerometer showed that the Mall itself is continuously vibrating, albeit at minute levels. The Department's second stall showcased the VISUALISE project, which aims to provide an enhanced experience for spectators at events through local area access to a rich range of media via hand-held devices.
For more information on the Science Alive! Exhibition, including how schools can get involved in the poster competition, please visit the Centre for Public Engagement website.
Scisational Project
The SCISATIONAL project aims to make science sensational and spark the imagination of 15 year olds. It allows schoolchildren to research and produce their own film that connects basic science to some of the University's current research.
The Department was involved in supporting the Scisational Project as one school chose to base their short film around the concept of Communications. Filming took place in the Department’s Wireless and Networks Laboratory over the summer to augment the pupils' learning.
Schools Visits
This activity is where a member of academic staff or research fellow goes into a school or college to explain the kind of cutting edge research they are involved in. We hope that this will inspire young people to take a degree in our subject. Some of the topics covered are:
- What is Electrical and Electronic Engineering?
- Mobile Communications
- Image Processing
- Quantum Cryptography
If you would like an academic member of staff to visit your school, please contact Professor Ian Craddock, Undergraduate Admissions Tutor.
UCAS Advice Sessions
Here the Admissions Tutor or other senior member of staff can visit your school to give advice on the kind of qualifications needed to study Electrical and Electronic Engineering and advice on UCAS applications. We can sometimes even do mock UCAS interviews as well.
Information for Pupils Interested in Engineering
Headstart - a well-established education programme whose aim is to encourage students interested in mathematics or science to consider technology-based careers.
Year in Industry - provides talented young people with paid, degree relevant work placements in the year out before or during their university course
Information for Teachers
This section gives some link to resources that teachers can use for introducing Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Engineering in general into their lessons.
The IET Faraday website
Electronics in Schools Strategy (EISS)
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network (STEMNET)