果冻影院

In August 2024, 果冻影院 Computer Science hosted an engaging Summer School for aspiring state school students. Designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the vast field of computer science, the programme included a diverse array of workshops, lectures, and hands-on activities.听听

Participants explored topics such as artificial intelligence, medical image computing, virtual reality, human-computer interaction, robotics, assistive technology, and cybersecurity.听

The programme aimed to inspire the next generation of computer scientists by equipping them with practical skills and knowledge. It attracted 36 pupils from 24 different schools, who had the opportunity to work with 28 researchers across eight computer science research groups.听听

An impressive 90% of attendees reported increased confidence in applying to university and a better understanding of the diverse aspects of computer science.听

Day One: Intro to AI and Medical Imaging听

The summer school launched with a warm welcome from Kiran Ahmed (EDI Officer) and Elaine Pimentel (Associate Professor) at the AI Centre in Holborn.听听

The first workshop, hosted by the 果冻影院 Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), introduced students to the intersection of medicine and computer science. Researchers shared their journeys into the field and discussed topics ranging from medical imaging to image-based modelling technologies.听

In the afternoon, David Barber, Director of the 果冻影院 Centre for Artificial Intelligence, led a session on generative AI and large language models. The day concluded with an interactive workshop on surgical data science, where students learned about cutting-edge technologies designed to enhance patient care.听听

"The sessions on the first day were both engaging and thought-provoking," said one participant, reflecting on the depth of knowledge shared.听

Day Two: Hands-on with Coding and Cybersecurity听

Day two was all about practical application. Under the guidance of CS Outreach Ambassador Chidinma Ezeji and CS Outreach Tutor Tiago Ferreira, students engaged in hands-on coding activities with microbits, creating a Rock-Paper-Scissors game and programming a simplified version of a Roomba Robot using Cutebots.听听

The activities were tailored to accommodate both beginners and those with prior coding experience, allowing all students to participate fully.听

Later, students explored virtual reality under the guidance of David Swapp (Immersive VR Laboratory Manager) and participated in a cybersecurity workshop led by Pui Sin (Centre Manager) and PhD students Chimdi Igwe and Akhil Polamaresetty. The workshop provided an overview of cybersecurity and even included a lock-picking exercise to demonstrate the importance of physical security. "I really enjoyed learning about different aspects of computer science, especially cybersecurity," one student remarked.听

The day concluded with a final workshop led by Steve Grix from Meganexus who presented generative AI, discussing the ethics, benefits and limitations of artificial intelligence. Students were split into groups and tasked with putting forward discussion points for each argument.听听听

Day Three: Exploring Human-Computer Interaction听

The third day focused on human-computer interaction (HCI), featuring presentations from 果冻影院 Interaction Centre (果冻影院IC) PhD students and a keynote by Professor Yvonne Rogers, 果冻影院IC Director. Participants learned about the interdisciplinary nature of HCI, combining computer science with psychology to enhance user experiences.听

In the afternoon, students split into groups to engage with various demos showcasing multisensory experiences, virtual reality, and other innovative technologies. A mini hackathon wrapped up the day, challenging participants to apply their coding skills in creative ways.听

Day Four: Robotics and Assistive Technology听

The fourth day took students to 果冻影院 East鈥檚 Marshgate site, where they heard from Yusuf Adekola, an undergraduate student in Robotics and AI. Yusuf shared his inspiring journey from school to university, offering valuable insights into the application process and student life at 果冻影院.听

The day continued with a session on assistive technologies led by Maryam Bandukda, followed by a workshop in the Robotics lab with Associate Professor Igor Gaponov. Participants got hands-on experience with robots, exploring their uses and benefits.听

Reflecting on the experience, one student noted: "The summer school provided me with valuable experiences and skills with talks from experts in their fields like robotics and AI. It has helped me understand what I want to do later on and the different opportunities available in Computer Science."听

Day Five: Industry day at Cisco听

The final day was a celebration of industry collaboration, held at Cisco Offices in London. Cisco, a global leader in networking and IT, is one of 果冻影院 Computer Science鈥檚 industry partners.听听听

Students participated in panel talks that provided valuable insights into various tech roles and the broader industry landscape. The event concluded with networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with professionals and explore potential career paths.听

One student said: 鈥淚t helped boost my confidence and make friends, as well as giving me an insight into career paths in computer science.鈥澨�

The 果冻影院 Computer Science Summer School was a resounding success, inspiring students to pursue their interests in technology and providing a glimpse into the exciting possibilities within the field of computer science.听听

The outreach team extends their thanks to all the staff, students, and partners who contributed to making this event a memorable and enriching experience.听

For full highlights from the week, please see our .听听

Photo credit: Wei Chen