Barton Manor Scientists Dive into Engineering at Canterbury Christ Church University

This month,30 gifted and talented young scientists from Barton Manor School had the exciting opportunity to explore the world of engineering during a taster day hosted by Canterbury Christ Church University. The event, designed to ignite passion and curiosity in the fields of engineering and robotics, provided our students with a hands-on experience in constructing and operating an exoskeleton hand.

The day began with an introduction to the principles behind robotic engineering, followed by practical sessions where students were divided into teams to design and build their own models of an exoskeleton hand. The enthusiasm in the room was palpable as students applied their knowledge and creativity to their projects, demonstrating excellent engagement and teamwork.

After completing their models, the students were introduced to advanced applications of their basic projects. A highlight of the day was a presentation by a university lecturer who is actively involved in developing robotic limbs for amputees. He shared his current project, which aims to create sophisticated artificial limbs that can be controlled via AI technologies. This session not only showcased the potential humanitarian impact of their learning, but also opened their eyes to the transformative power of engineering in medicine.

The demonstration was met with awe and inspired a flurry of questions from our students, who were eager to learn more about the future possibilities of AI and robotics. Topics ranged from ethical considerations in AI to the technical challenges of designing robots that can mimic human movement.

Reflecting on the day, students expressed their excitement about the career opportunities in engineering and robotics. Many were particularly inspired by the potential to contribute to meaningful and life-changing technologies. This taster day not only enriched their understanding of engineering concepts but also highlighted the diverse university courses available in their local community.

This event was a remarkable opportunity for our students to see first-hand the practical and impactful applications of STEM subjects. It also reinforced our commitment at Barton Manor to providing our students with experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world applications. We are incredibly proud of the curiosity and engagement our students displayed and are excited to support them in their future educational journeys in science and technology.