Faculty of Science and Technology

Pupils from local schools get hands-on experience of learning in the lab

More than a hundred and fifty school pupils got a taste of university studies at the Faculty of Science and Technology taster day. The annual event is intended to show students what life is like at university and to demonstrate the wide range of degrees in science and technology which Lancaster has to offer.

The teenagers from eleven schools across the north-west began the day with a campus tour before taking part in hands-on demonstrations in labs and workshops.

Departments ranging from Computing to Engineering took part in the event, which was organised by Dr Alan Darragh, science partnership officer for the university. He said: "I hope that the experience will encourage the students to continue in the science and technology field and help them when deciding on applying for courses at University."

Fourteen pupils from Blackpool Sixth Form College attended the taster day. Their computing teacher Peter Tooth said: "We've been coming here for three years running and it's really useful because it makes university seem less scary, less daunting. As well as being a good university, Lancaster is close to Blackpool and we tell them they might be able to commute here and save on living costs."

One of his pupils, Fiona Donaldson, who's 17, wants to be a computer programmer. She said: "Coming here tells you a lot about university and I've been doing a computer animation which I've got a lot out of."

17 year old Matthew Hill from Appleby Grammar School said: "University is much more informal and less intense than I thought and I definitely want to come here now I've seen the racing car project!"

Awais Qureshi from Parrs Wood Technology College in Manchester said: "I'm surprised by all the shops and everything on campus and it's not dull like I thought it would be. I think I prefer a campus university now I've seen it rather than being a student in a big city."

Other schools taking part included Lytham St Annes High School, Millom School and Kirkbie Kendal in Cumbria, Bury Girls Grammar School, King George the fifth College in Southport, and two high schools in Cheshire.

Fri 07 July 2006

Associated Links

• Taster Day 2006 - pictures from the 2006 taster day