School of Computing

Helping with outreach work

We are looking for enthusiasts to help the department with outreach work: activities that we do with local schools and colleges. Our objectives are to show people how exciting we find our field of study and to encourage more people to take it up. The university's central administration also puts on outreach activities. All of this work is a very important for us but it is also very rewarding. We find staff and students very generous with their time and enthusiastic about the experiences.

On this page are links to three different ways in which you can play your part in this effort. For some activities we need volunteers. For other activities we can pay you if you are a student (either postgrad or undergrad).

1. FIRST LEGO® League

Volunteering for staff, postgraduates and undergraduates across the STMS faculty

In the regional finals of this annual, international science and robotics competition, school children will be giving us their solutions to a Power Puzzle challenge. They have been working in their schools for eight weeks to try to solve some of our energy problems.

There will be two events: one on the Canterbury campus on Wednesday 28th November and another on our Medway campus on Thursday 29th November. Between the two events, thirty six schools have entered teams.

We need your help! We are looking for a large amount of support from the department, the Faculty, the university and outside bodies in order to run exciting events that are safe and well organised.

Don't know anything about it? Look at our web pages http://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/schools-liaison/ and , if you are free, come to an information session (time to be arranged).

Want to know what's involved? See the FLL roles and training information.

To sign up, just email fll-admin at kent.ac.uk with the subject line FLL help. If you are a student and can offer help on both days, then we can pay you.

2. Student Ambassadors

Volunteering and paid work for postgraduates and undergraduates

The university runs a Student Ambassador Scheme which is open to postgraduate and undergraduate students. The idea is that you will inspire school students to like your subject as much as you do. You will receive training and obtain the necessary checks to enable you to work with children.

Some of the work is voluntary. Other parts of the work are paid. Read the job description (Word) and if interested send off the application form (PDF).

Please also let me know that you are applying by emailing me on J.W.Linington at kent.ac.uk with the subject line Student Ambassador. There will also be opportunities to do paid work for the department once you have been trained. If you are a postgraduate, the work may also count towards your training entitlement. You should discuss this with Sally Fincher.

If you decide to work as a volunteer ambassador, the hours can count towards your Volunteering Certificate.

3. Creative Presentations

Special training for staff and postgraduates

School of Computing, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NF

Enquiries: +44 (0)1227 824180 or contact us.

Last Updated: 09/09/2011 08:28