Summer Science Taster Day

More than 250 pupils from across Lancashire and Cumbria are heading to Lancaster on July 1 to find out more about studying Science and Technology subjects at a top ten UK university.

The pupils from schools and colleges across the region will be given taster sessions in Lancaster University’s highly-rated faculty of Science and Technology where they will meet researchers and teaching staff working in fields from mobile phone development to particle physics.

They will also meet current Lancaster students and find out about the day-to-day reality of student life covering everything from student finance to where to do your washing.

Some highlights include:

• A modern day ‘who done it’ in Biological Sciences which will introduce pupils to the basics of DNA analysis taken from a crime scene.

• An insight into the future of mobile phone applications in the School of Computing and Communications.

• A hands-on exploration of volcanic rock in Environmental Science.

• An introduction to the real-world applications of the science of Psychology. Students will play the role of Psychologist in a criminal case, experience how the mind is tricked by illusions of vision, audition, and attention, and will learn about social behaviour. 

• Lectures and demonstrations in Lancaster’s Physics department - rated number one for research in the UK.

This is the seventh Science and Technology taster day at Lancaster which aims to encourage students to consider studying STEM and related subjects.  The day is designed to give visiting pupils an opportunity to discover first hand University teaching and learning.

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Dr. Jane Taylor said: “Our annual taster day aims to give year-twelve students a real feel of what it's like to study science and technology subjects at university. As well as the departmental workshops, there's the opportunity to talk to our lecturers first-hand and to talk to students about university life.

“Our departments have done really well in the recently published Times and Guardian 2012 league tables with many listed as being in the top 10 in the country for student experience.

“We hope this event will support and inform the important decisions these students will be making about going to university in 2012.”

Schools taking part are: Oldham Sixth Form; Tarporley High School; Appleby Grammar;  Holy Cross College; Blackpool Sixth Form; Runshaw College; Parrswood College; Ripley St Thomas; King George V College;  Lytham St Annes;  Morecambe High School; Cardinal Newman College.