What a week!?!

Well, I thought it was going to be a quiet week as the students have now disappeared for their 5 week Easter break. Well, not a complete break, as all of the 3rd and 4th years are still around working hard on their projects! Today was a big day. Trekked up to London for the Royal Academy of Engineering's Innovation in Engineering Education Symposium. We were selected as a finalist for the first ever RAEng/BNFL Education Innovation Prize. This was for our Headstart and Induction Week activities, in which we ran a Design Triathlon for teams of students to design, build, test, float, fly & race. Lots of fun for students and staff, which is what it's all about :) Lord Sainsbury was quite excited about our project, and it was nice to be able to chat to the Minister for Science who is very enthusastic and supportive of all we're doing at University. There were some great projects as finalists, so I didn't fancy my chances too much. So when they announced the Southampton entry as the winner I was literally gobsmacked! Nice to know that we're doing something right ;) It felt a bit like the Oscars, especially when it came to thanking the Academy - for Engineering though, ot Motion Pictures! But engineering is much more exciting than the movies :) Certainly brightened up my day, and the lovely glass trophy is now proudly on display on my desk! More pictures to come once I get them from the official photographer. I'll just finish my champagne now!!!

Science Day Extravaganza

Wow, what a climax to our Science Week 06 at the Uni. Over 2000 people came to Boldrewood to take part in dozens of interactive science and engineering activities. Everything from making slime to flying an Airbus A380 simulator. A laser light show and science magic show thrilled the crowds. Clymping and Crescent Primary School came to compete in our special Greenpower Goblin race. After spending the morning finising their cars, we took to the wet track for the race - defying the persistent rain! Everyone had a go in the cars to find the best drivers. Then the best of three race was run, with Crescent Primary taking the chequered flag to win the event. Phew, after months of planning the whole team was very pleased to see all the smiling faces all day. We do hope everyone had fun, we'll try to make it even bigger and better for next year :)

Science and shopping...

Yes, they do go together! Yesterday hordes of shoppers were able to find out more about Science Week 06 at the University of Southampton. Students and staff were on hand to talk to everyone and find out about all of the exciting things happening on campus over the next two weeks. We were lucky enough to have Clymping Primary School from Chichester building a Greenpower Goblin electric race car. The spectacular Compact Pussycat F24 car was there (see below!) and certainly turned some heads. Chris Packham (shown above) was on hand to help with the car building and talk to many shoppers. Thanks to everybody who came to talk to us, and hope to see many of you at the FREE Ocean & Earth Day next weekend, and at the FREE Science Day extravaganza in a fortnight (25/3). See www.creatingthefuture.net for all of the details.

West Quay here we come!

It's finally here. After months of planning we're ready to come on down to West Quay on Saturday (11/3). So come and say 'Hi'. We have family entertainers, and I don't just mean the Vice Chancellor, to give you a break from shopping ;) Freebies for the kids and much more. So do come and check us out. We're just in the atrium, between M&S and John Lewis. Chris Packham will be there from 3pm :) If you can't make it then check back Monday for a full report!!! Cheers, Kenji

Science week update...

Only a few days to go before our Science Week opening extravaganza at West Quay, in the atrium area (between M&S and John Lewis) . I can now confirm that Chrisk Packham will be on our stand from 3pm-5pm. Come along and see electric race cars being built. Find out about science and technology, and the Ocean & Earth Day (15 March) and Family Science Day (25 March) at the University. Pick up a flyer to win an iPod or digital camera. See our website for more details. So come along to West Quay and join the fun!!! We'll be giving away lots of freebies for the kids, so don't miss out :)

Roaring Merlins over Southampton

Today was a very special day... The 70th anniversary of the Spitfire's first flight. Thousands turned out to witness the re-enactment of this first flight, and a flypast of five glorious Spits over Southampton. Designed and built in Southampton, it is arguably the finest fighter ever flown. In recognition of the designer, RJ Mitchell, The University of Southampton is proud to announce that its bursaries for Aeronautics students will be known as the RJ Mitchell Scholarships. These are available to UCAS applicants who obtain 3 A's at A-level, and who obtain a Firm offer with us. See our website for full details. These scholarships are one way in which the future of aviation can be assured through the new breed of aircraft designers trained at Southampton. It could be you!