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Discover transistors with the Joule Thief

Discover the fascinating world of transistors in this exciting and practical workshop exploring how the electrical circuits have transformed our lives.

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Overview

This free workshop delves into the fascinating world of transistors! We'll introduce students in North Wales to the history of the transistor and explore how this building block of modern electronics has transformed our daily lives.

They'll also get to build their own transistor circuit - the Joule Thief. The joule thief extracts the last bit of energy from 'dead' batteries to help power an LED light. The circuit is similar to those used by electronic engineers. Students will have the opportunity to find out more about the various careers available in electronic engineering and the different people who work in the field.

To help challenge stereotypes about who can be an engineer, Bangor University invites engineers from different backgrounds, genders, and career paths to share their stories and lead activities.

As a follow-up session to the main experience, schools are invited to visit the department for further STEM workshops. This gives students insight into both a STEM workplace and a university.

Details

Curriculum links: Computing

Physics: Electricity and electromagnetism

Sciences - Forces, electricity and waves: Electricity

Computing science

Physics: Electricity

Technology & design - Communication: Use of ICT tools (including 3D modelling)

Sciences - Forces and energy: Using electricity

Technology & design - Control: Incorporate control systems in products
Group size: Small groups, Whole class
Workshops are available for groups of 5 to 30 students.
Participation level: Hands-on
Duration: Up to an hour
Cost: Free
Location: In-school

Conwy

Denbighshire

Flintshire

Learning outcomes

Improve engagement, interest or enjoyment in STEM subjects
Attainment and progress
Improve awareness and aspirations for STEM-related study and careers
Challenge stereotypes by showing the diversity of disciplines, people and skills involved in engineering

Frameworks

Gatsby benchmarks

The Gatsby benchmarks are a framework for good careers guidance for schools across all of England and in some areas across the rest of the UK. This experience helps your school to reach the following benchmarks:

6 - Experiences of workplaces
7 - Encounters with further and higher education

EqualEx

Introduce and Inspire

Essential skills

The essential skills every young person needs to succeed in education and their future career. Find out more at the Skills Builder Partnership. This experience builds the following skills:

Problem solving - Finding solutions to challenges
Teamwork - Working cooperatively with others to achieve a shared goal

Enrichment framework

5 - An accessible and engagement enrichment offer
6 - An enrichment offer that works in partnership
7 - An outcomes-focused enrichment offer

How to book

Check availability at your school first

Bangor University

Staff at the School of Computer Science and Engineering, Bangor University are committed to delivering the highest quality learning experience for our students. Our highly-qualified staff, many of whom are world-leaders in research in their fields, are passionate about passing on their expertise and subject knowledge. A number of our courses are accredited by professional bodies like the British Computer Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which means that learnt skills and attributes are recognised as being the first step to achieving a Chartered Engineer or Chartered Scientist professional qualification.

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