News Archive

Children's electrifying day at University – University of Reading

Local schoolchildren got a buzz from constructing electrical circuits and learning about electricity when they attended a special Electronics Project Day at the University of Reading. Twenty-four Year Five pupils from Arborfield, Newland and Barkham Junior School came to the University's Electronic Engineering Department on Tuesday 16 December to explore electric circuits and the practical applications of technology. Dr Scott Linfoot, who organised the visit along with the children's teacher Mr Al Cobb, said the children benefitted from coming to the University in two ways. ’First, we took the opportunity to consolidate the work which the children have done in school on electrical circuits,’ he said. ’We wanted to extend their knowledge using equipment and expertise provided by the University. ’But we also took the opportunity to introduce the children to University life. The children enjoyed seeing the "Big Picture" of education and were able to investigate the opportunities Higher Education can bring. ’We hope to make this event a regular occurrence, encouraging further partnerships between the University and other local schools.’ During the day, the children built circuits to power a bulb and learned how to make the bulb brighter or dimmer using 'home-made' variable resistors to control the current. They also discovered whether it matters which way the current flows and how a motor spins in different directions depending on the polarity of the battery. Mr Cobb said: ’The day at the University was a superb success. The children really seemed to enjoy the day and I know that the parents who came along were very impressed.’ End For further information and photographs, please contact: Craig Hillsley, Press Officer, University of Reading. Tel: 0118 378 8005 Email: c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk