Over a hundred teenagers from across Europe gained a special insight into University living and learning at Electronics and Computer Scienceâs (ECS) largest ever Taster Course at the University of Southampton.
The A-Level, or equivalent standard, students experienced the wide-ranging facilities and activities available to computer science and electronic engineering students in the one-week residential course on Highfield Campus.
Participants investigated and designed solutions to real projects, took part in labs and lectures, and lived in University halls during a busy programme from the 10th to the 14th of July.
Dr Geoff Merrett, Course Leader and Director of Recruitment and Outreach for ECS, says: âIt is always a delight to welcome future computer scientists and electronic engineers onto campus. Weâve hosted summer schools and residential courses for many years now and hope they can continue to inspire students about subjects that are fundamental for the future development of society, while providing a strong base for making future choices.â?
The week-long course included visits to specialist facilities, such as the Tony Davies High Voltage Laboratory, the Southampton Nanofabrication Centre and the Biometric Gait Chamber. Southampton academics delivered lectures on the range of subjects covered by ECS, from electronic and electrical engineering to computer science and software engineering, while teenage participants tried their hand at practical experiments and computer programming in the departmentâs £4m state-of-the-art teaching labs. Throughout the week students worked together on a team challenge, before giving presentations to parents at a prize-giving ceremony on the final day.
On completing the week, one attendee commented, âthis course was so inspiring. I loved Southampton and it has rekindled my love for computer science.â? Another added, âit has been very helpful in deciding whether university is right for me and has provided a needed boost in motivation to work hard for some excellent grades.â?
Over a dozen students participated this summer with the support of a full bursary and all 139 are now able to apply for the Zepler Scholarship â a £1,000 fund that is exclusively available to course attendees.
Next yearâs ECS Taster Course will run from 30 July to 03 August 2018. To find out more, or for any enquiries, visit taster.ecs.soton.ac.uk. For more information on the Zepler Scholarship visit: ecs.soton.ac.uk/zepler-scholarship
