Wednesday, 23 April 2014

SCI & ENG MMU FUTURES ACTIVITIES – Available to all MMU Students!!

 
SCI & ENG MMU FUTURES ACTIVITIES –
Available to all MMU Students!!

Please find below some of the Sci & Eng MMU Futures activities which all students can enjoy.
These are available to students from across the University so please take a look at these events …
it would be great to see you !...
Most events are running from Tuesday 27 MayTuesday 24 June … several activities every day.
No background knowledge is assumed ... other than a willingness to learn new things!

Some events are already filled up but our advice to all students is to sign up so you can get on the waiting list, and keep checking your emails. We try to fit in everyone on the waiting list & everyone who shows up (except when space really is limited) … so why not take a look .............    http://www.mmu.ac.uk/students/futures/events.php

Leadership
(These two are run by the central team … but they are really good so I thought I’d keep them in!)
1.    UOTC Leadership Challenge (5 Bronze & 8 Silver points)
- Brilliant 2-day programme – training in the army’s leadership approach … followed by actually putting it into action with team activities such as a strategic planning exercise … & actual command tasks involving barrels & planks of wood. (Also fun for staff to watch!)
2.    Peer Mentor Training (7)
Highly recommend this (I send my peer mentors to be trained via this 1-day event)… even for programmes that don’t have a peer mentor programme since the students learn about the university services, where to send students with different issues, boundaries etc.
Biology / Ecology
3.    Ecology Field Trips (x 2) (5)
… Venues this year include … marshes & the beach (I believe!) … flowers, fauna, butterflies, maybe even birds …
4.    Ecology Lab Day (5)
… Analyse the samples collected on the field trips … real research experience
5.    R Programming Introduction (Statistical data analysis) (6)
- Could be of use for Sociologists or anyone who has to deal with lots of data
- 1-day intro … free program … so students can go off & teach themselves more
Chemistry
7.    DIY Chemistry: Making Jelly Babies Cry (3)
- By special request from the Chemistry students who want to showcase the fun bits of Chemistry (having played with Robots last year) … I’m keen on making ice cream … should be fun (& you’ll learn a bit of science)
8.    Drugs of Abuse & Legal Highs: Detection & Analysis (3)
- Some of the chemistry behind drugs … plus you get to do some analysis in the chemistry labs to find out whether substances are really what they say they are!
9.    Drug Design: Computational Insights (6)
- If you’ve ever wanted to see what a model of a protein looks like & zoom in to examine where a drug molecule binds then sign up & come along.
Computing
10.  Python: A Beginner’s Guide to Programming (3)
... Everyone should have a go at programming ... especially now that 8-year olds are becoming experts! 3-hour taster workshop … learn some basics … write your first game
11.  Python: Next Step to Programming (3)
... & then everyone should learn a bit more! (Warning: Programming can be quite addictive J
12.  How to Hack a Story – A Workshop for Writers & Coders (5)
This one is really
unusual ... Programmers and writers will be teamed up together to work on projects that combine creative writing and basic (to advanced) software development skills. You can decide on your project but briefs could ask you to produce basic interactive story games or instant poetry generators.

If you’re a writer, you will learn about the creative opportunities that code offers your writing, and get a better understanding of how programming works. If you’re a coder, you’ll learn how to use the code you know (and some you may not, as yet) to manipulate text and make novel content applications. You can also learn more about the creative writing process.

The aim, at the end of the workshop, is for you and your teammates to take away something creative and unique that can form a part of your professional portfolio for the future.
13.  Delivering a TV Programme in a Studio Environment (Up to 5 days)
(3 Bronze & 8 Silver points)
Ever watched television? Thought you could do better?

Well here’s your chance, don’t miss this hands on opportunity to make three studio television programmes in a day. You will experience the highs, lows and pressures of working to broadcast standards. Each student accepted on this event will operate a camera, perform in front of them and work in the production gallery. You will be trained and supported by experienced professionals throughout, including Ian Hider, (ex BBC cameraman and trainer). The environment will replicate the demands of the industry and live television. Students will have to meet deadlines, think on their feet, solve problems and commit to team working. The day will end with a review of the material produced.

14.  Android for Newbies (2 days) (10)    
- Aim is to get the students to design their own Android game by the end of the 2 days … no programming knowledge required (Android phone might be useful … but not essential)
15.  Sensor Programming (2 days) (6 Bronze & 6 Silver points)
- Last year we had a mix of art, chemistry & computing students who came up with some great devices from the sensors! (No programming knowledge required … just enthusiasm & a willingness to try stuff.)
Digital Media & Entertainment Technology
16.  Creating 3D Models with Autodesk’s Maya (3)
Software used to create animated films by the likes of Pixar and Dreamworks, + characters like Gollum in the Lord of the Rings films? This session will give you a brief introduction to Autodesk’s Maya, 3D animation software. As an MMU student you can download a free copy of the software, so you can continue to use if after the taster session if you want to develop your skills further. Previous students really enjoyed this event … “very informative & useful” & “great for the imagination”
17.  Creating Stereoscopic 3D Film (6)
Stereoscopic 3D is technology that allows film-makers to create those visual effects that you see in the cinema, when wearing special glasses.  This session will give you an overview of how that technology works, and the chance to use 3D cameras and editing software to create a short piece of 3D footage. On day 1 you will learn about the principles of how stereoscopic 3D works, and have the chance to use a 3D camera to capture some footage. On day 2 you will upload your film footage into Final Cut ProX, and learn how to edit in 3D.  At the end of the session you will get to view your work on a 3D television.
18.  Creating an e-portfolio with Responsive Design (5)
Developing an online Portfolio is now fundamental to employability. After this one-day course you will know how to develop, maintain, and publish an e-Portfolio showcasing your work at University.
Engineering (Electrical)
19.  Robot Lego (3)
- Lego … but not as we know it … build & programme a robot to respond to external stimulus & grab a ball … and bring it back to you. Highly rated by last year’s participants
Forensic Science
20.  Crown Court Visits (3)
- Briefing in advance … of interest to Law students ... Social Work students …..
21.  Crime Scene Taster (3)
-
If you’ve watched all the CSIs & / or you are interested in getting a glimpse of what actually goes on at a crime scene, then this is the workshop for you. You will visit the scene of a crime (in the MMU Crime room), learn how to collect samples, dust for fingerprints, analyse ballistics evidence.
Geography
22.  Maps: Open Software - Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (3)
... Last year, we had students looking at flood plains since they were studying architecture ... someone else was working on an Art project ... great mix of students!
23.  Maps 2: Analysing & Visualising Spatial Data with GIS (3)
… Building on Maps 1: Learn how to perform powerful spatial analysis using vector and raster data, and create geovisualisations with GIS for use in commonplace decision making tasks and the creation of information graphics.
Healthcare
24.  Healthcare Science Lab Tour – Ageing from Molecules to Movement (2)
How do we move?  And how can age, exercise and diseases affect the way we move? The Cognitive Motor Function Research Group at MMU investigate how our body makes us move, and how and why movement is affected by factors such as ageing, exercise and diseases.  This tour will cover the main equipment used within the ground and first floor labs, which vary from machines that can detect the genes in our blood, to cameras which create 3D models of us as we move.  
 
Best wishes,
LJM
 

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