Ready, GetSet, Go!
Sixty Year 11 and 12 girls visited the College of Engineering and Computer Science on Friday 13 May for the annual GetSet (Girls in Engineering and Technology) event. Students participated in a full day of fun, hands-on activities covering artificial intelligence and computer vision, engineering in developing countries, biomaterials for human health, as well as solar energy and sustainability - all delivered by some of our enthusiastic early career researchers, and other volunteers, within the College.
Stephen Gould presented the Artificial Intelligence (AI) module which involved a brief introduction to the field of AI research. He started with a short history of AI from the aspirations of the ancient Greeks to build autonomous machines, through to the establishment of the field as a science in 1956, up to contemporary research and achievements like self-driving cars and computer game players. Students discussed the links between AI research and science fiction and participated in activities that demonstrated various aspects of AI research. These included a conversation with Eliza (one of the first chatter-bots) an experiment in probability, and a demonstration of interactive computer vision.
Jeremy Smith introduced students to the philosophy of Engineers Without Borders and helped them to explore what engineers do and how they work with communities in different countries. After identifying some of the challenges facing developing communities, the students worked in small teams representing different countries to develop a sand water filter using only the resources, money and knowledge available to the developing country. Then they discussed the impacts such limitations placed on producing the filter to experience how communities and engineers can work to overcome challenges across the world.
David Nisbet brought students up-to-date on the fascinating area of biomaterials. Students discussed what biomaterials are and identified their uses in society before being introduced to common problems that occur with their usage. Things like their design, the possibility of contamination, keeping them sterile, the dangers of inflammation, wear and tear, and ultimately their replacement. Students were introduced to the focus of current research - next generation biomaterials - and how this research can be used to overcome problems using a case study which is a current research project. The project is exploring how materials are used to deliver stem cells into the brain to treat Parkinson's Disease. Students got to handle examples of common biomaterials, like hip implants which provided an opportunity for some lively discussion!
James Cotsell threw some light on solar energy. Students were encouraged to problem solve using one of the parabolic mirrors manufactured for use in solar concentrating systems. They were asked to find out what concentration ratio it produced. In another activity, students were asked to work out the efficiency of a parabolic mirror. While provided with plenty of guidance, the aim of this workshop is to encourage students to think on their own feet to try to work out ways to address the problems without the intervention of supervisors.
To wind up the day, students participated in networking and storytelling from female staff, students and alumni about the factors that influenced these women to study engineering and computing, and what it is like to be a practising professional in these areas.
Feedback from students and teachers indicate that the workshops were a great success and we look forward to offering new challenges and workshops in 2012.
