Hack-a-thon and Javafest: taster days in electronics and programming at Queen Mary

The Queen Mary, University of London School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science is holding a series of hands-on taster afternoons for 15-18 year olds interested in electronic engineering or computer science. The electronic engineering "Hack-a-thon" session involves hacking hardware and learning microcontroller programming. Our computer science "Javafest" is an introduction to Java programming.

Currently sessions are planned for the following dates:

• Wednesday 14th November 2012
• Wednesday 21st November 2012
• Wednesday 28th November 2012

The sessions will run from 12:30 to 16:00. As they run in parallel you must choose one or the other to attend. They will be held at Queen Mary, University of London at the Mile End Campus: (Map) You will need to bring and have lunch before arriving at the venue as food is not allowed in the lab areas.

Javafest: programming taster workshop

Our computer science 'Javafest' is a gentle introduction to Java programming using the user-friendly Greenfoot tool. The session is mainly practical. Students will produce an interesting working example of a user-controlled eco-system by the end of the session. The session is ideal for beginners with no or little programming experience though students of all standards are welcome.

The following is a draft schedule (subject to change)

12:30 Doors Open + Icebreaker
12:45 Welcome
13:00 Session 1: Introduction to Java + Greenfoot
14:20 Break
14:30 Session 2: Hands-on eco-system development
15:30 Campus Tour
16:00 END

Hack-a-thon: electronics taster workshop

Build your own electronic guitar and gain hands-on experience in electronic engineering at our electronics hack-a-thon. This practical session will cover the basics of electronic circuits and microcontroller programming. Students will learn about sensors and audio synthesis and build a working musical instrument. The session is ideal for beginners with little or no electronics experience though students of all standards are welcome.

The following is a draft schedule (subject to change)

12:30 Doors Open + Icebreaker
12:45 Welcome
13:00 Session 1: Hands on introduction to electronics: build an electronic guitar:
14:20 Break
14:30 Session 2: Microcontroller programming and audio coding
15:30 Campus Tour
16:00 END

Booking a place

To book places for your students on either session please e-mail: carly@eecs.qmul.ac.uk giving the number of students who will attend.

All bookings must be made by a teacher for their students not by individual students. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come first served basis.

Find out more about the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science at Queen Mary, University of London.