Lancaster University

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Girls get set for science

09/27/2007 10:10:18

Girls at Setpoint Science and Technology Day in InfoLab21
Girls at Setpoint Science and Technology Day in InfoLab21

Girls from ethnic minority communities across Lancashire got a glimpse of the magic of Science and Technology at Lancaster University this week.

As part of an initiative run by Setpoint Lancashire, around 42 year 8 and 9 pupils visited the University to take part in workshops in Computing, Engineering and Communication Systems.

The girls were given an introduction to a number of developments in the University including a string of futuristic fairy lights which are being developed by researchers in the Department of Computing.

The lights - which are each embedded with a tiny computer – communicate with one another and can be manipulated by a computer programme. This innovation, known as project firefly, has the potential to revolutionise all kinds of lighting displays in the future - from home use to large scale outdoor advertising.

Lancaster University Science Partnership Officer Dr Alan Darragh said: “It was great for the pupils to be able to get hands on and to discover some new technology for themselves. They met researchers and had a look around the campus, getting a feel for some of the first class science and technology happening at the University.

“We hope that some of the pupils visiting today will be inspired and enthused to continue their studies in science and technology in the future.”

The schools were: MoorheadSportsCollege, Accrington, Beardwood School, Blackburn, Rhyddings Business and EnterpriseSchool, Oswaldtwistle and Moorpark Business and EnterpriseSchool, Preston.

For information on firefly go to

http://www.infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/news_and_events/news/?article_id=280