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!!!