Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Young people and their families from across Wales will get the chance to experience computing in the outdoors at Beach Lab, a Technocamps event held at Aberystwyth Bandstand from 11am to 3pm, Saturday 12 May 2012. Beach Lab is the first in a series of free public events being run by the Technocamps team based at the Computer Science Department at Aberystwyth University, with the aim of giving young people aged between 11-19 years old a chance to develop their computing skills beyond the usual screen and keyboard. The one-day event is open to all who are keen to experience technology in the open air with flying kites (with on-board cameras), land robots, sailing robots, wearable technology and much more. Some of the demos will be using programmes designed by young people from Ceredigion who have been involved in Technocamps through school and holiday workshops. Dr Mark Neal, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at Aberystwyth University and one of the academics involved in Techno...

Young people from across mid Wales will be having fun getting hands-on experience with ‘Wearable Technology’ and ‘Sailing Robots’ Bootcamps to be held over three days at Aberystwyth Arts Centre during the first week of the Easter holidays (Monday 2nd April to Wednesday 4th April). The Bootcamps are the second in a series of free workshops being run by the Technocamps team based at the Department of Computer Science at Aberystwyth University, giving young people aged between 11-19 years old a chance to develop their computing skills beyond the usual screen and keyboard. Participants will be introduced to programming microcontrollers (small single chip computers) using a range of electronic sensors. Both Bootcamps will focus on building a ‘control system’ based on the popular Arduino system. Wearable Technology Bootcamps will give insight into how technology is incorporated into clothing and accessories. Sensors are placed on or in garments so that, for instance, the technology resp...

Technocamps Aberystwyth and the British Computer Society (BCS) Mid-Wales are to host a free event at Aberystwyth University this month (5pm, Tuesday 24th January 2012) for all those interested in digital literacy and computing education. The first session, aimed at teachers and educators working in STEM related subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), will introduce the Aberystwyth Technocamps hub and its workshops designed to enthuse young people about computing. There will be an overview of the project, hands-on sessions, plus an insight into the wonderful world of robotics. Following this, BCS Mid-Wales will chair a general session considering the broader question of computing education in the UK. A panel of experts and interested parties will lead the discussion, investigating the problem of computing in schools from a variety of perspectives. Dr Emma Posey of Technocamps Aberystwyth said: “We're keen that young people are creators of technology as we...