Computing Student Employability Skills Through STEM Outreach

Enhancing Computing Student Employability Skills Through Partnership Working in STEM Outreach - Springer:


Scott Turner
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-29166-6_10


Published in Software Engineering Education Going Agile Part of the series Progress in IS pp 67-71

Abstract

Student volunteering is growing in the UK and elsewhere, and there is an ongoing debate about whether it is really “self-evidently a ‘good thing’” or there is a greater need for reflection to determine whether this statement is true (Holdsworth and Quinn, Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 113–127, 2010). This paper presents a personal reflection of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) volunteering as a potential route to increasing Computing student’s employability.

References

1.

STEMNet (2015) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network [online] Available at: http://​www.​stemnet.​org.​uk/​ Accessed on: 24thJanuary 2015

2.

Sinclair J, Allen A, Davis L, Goodchild T, Messenger J, Turner S (2014) "Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach " HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

3.

Holdsworth, C., & Quinn, J. (2010). Student volunteering in English higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 113–127.CrossRef

4.

Brewis, G., Russell, J., & Holdsworth, C. (2010). Bursting the bubble: Students, volunteering and the community. Research Summary.

5.

Junkbots (2015) Junkbots [online] Available at: http://​junkbots.​blogspot.​co.​uk/​ Accessed on: 24th January 2015.

'via Blog this'

Posting on the site does not imply endorsement in any way, by the blog owner or any organisations the blog owner is associated with.

Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach.

A paper was recently presented at the 11th China-Europe International Symposium of Software Engineering Education, 29-30 April 2015, Zwickau, Germany http://whz-cms-10.zw.fh-zwickau.de/bo/index_CEISEE.html

Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach.

Scott Turner, Associate Professor, Department of Computing and Immersive Technologies, University of Northampton, Northampton, NN2 6JB, UK

Abstract

Student volunteering is growing in the UK and elsewhere, and there is an ongoing debate about whether it is really “self-evidently a ‘good thing’” or there is a greater need for reflection to determine whether this statement is true (Holdsworth and Quinn, 2010).  This paper presents a personal reflection of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) volunteering as a potential route to increasing Computing student’s employability.

This paper looks at an approach at the University of Northampton that involves:

• ·         Linking but not combining a local STEM volunteering scheme to the National STEM Volunteers (STEMNet 2015)
• ·         Creation of a STEM Steering Group that has representation across all parts of the university.

Enhancing computing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach. - CEISEE 2015 from Scott Turner

Three brief case studies of computing student volunteers at different stages will be presented and culminate with a personal reflection based on observations over a ten year period.

References

Brewis, G., Russell, J., & Holdsworth, C. (2010). Bursting the bubble: Students, volunteering and the community. Research Summary.

Holdsworth, C., & Quinn, J. (2010). Student volunteering in English higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 35(1), 113-127. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03075070903019856

Junkbots (2015) Junkbots [online] Available at: http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/ Accessed on: 24th January 2015.

Sinclair J, Allen A, Davis L, Goodchild T, Messenger J, Turner S (2014) "Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach " HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

STEMNet (2015) Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network [online] Available at: http://www.stemnet.org.uk/ Accessed on: 24th January 2015.

Scott is also on the International Programme committee (http://whz-cms-10.zw.fh-zwickau.de/bo/CEISEE_ProgComm.html)  and was a session chair for a paper session.

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Computing at Northampton 2018

A recent workshop presented by Scott Turner, Naomi Holmes, Adel Gordon and Janet Jackson at Northampton Learning andTeaching Conference 2014- Northampton 2018: Planning, Designing and Delivering Student Success gave participants an opportunity to 'play with' some of the computing technologies they have been investigating as tools for Environmental and Geography Students.

Visualising the field from Scott Turner


Related
Virtual Reality for Environmental Science Students

A recent paper was presented by John Sinclair and co-authored by Stuart Allen, Linda Davis-Sinclair, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger, and Scott Turner at Northampton Learning and Teaching Conference 2014- Northampton 2018: Planning, Designing and Delivering Student Success about STEM outreach and employability.

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach

John Sinclair, Stuart Allen, Linda Davis, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger, Scott Turner

Contact details:

john.sinclair@northampton.ac.uk

Abstract:

For over a decade, University of Northampton staff and students have delivered successful STEM outreach activities, master classes and co-working opportunities to learners in schools and FE colleges.  In addition, the University works with the local STEMNET contract holder to gain national recognition for staff and students STEM Ambassadors and recognises STEM Ambassadors through awards (staff and student) as part of its annual celebration of volunteer achievement.  Both developments derive from a culture of empowering students as partners and enhancing the student journey.

The University has developed a co-ordinated programme of training and events to empower students and staff to engage with school and community outreach.  A cross-University STEM Steering Group (SSG) which features both management and grass roots-level representation from the across the University (Science and Technology, Health, Education, the Arts and its Centre for Employability and Engagement) manages the activities, including recruiting representation from the student body.  As such, SSG is uniquely well-placed to champion STEM activities across the University and to make these available to the wider community.  Local schools are able to access inspirational science activities, whilst University students gain employability-related skills in leadership, communication, project-delivery and self-motivation and staff gain valuable CPD.  Students also identify more strongly with the University.  The total package plays a major role in contributing to University aspirations in widening participation and is hugely popular with participants.  This paper will outline the project and will showcase the positive enhancements which it offers to University of Northampton students and school participants.

Related
Junkbots

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach.

A paper has recently been present at HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach; the University of Northampton approach.

John Sinclair*, Stuart Allen†, Linda Davis, Trish Goodchild, Julie Messenger#, Scott Turner

University of Northampton, St George’s Avenue, Northampton, NN3 3AF.

†University of Northampton, Boughton Green Road, Northampton.  NN2 7AL.

# Leicester Educational Business Company, Ashcroft House, Ervington Court,  Meridian Business Park. Leicester LE19 1WL

*author for correspondence

Enhancing student employability skills through partnership working in STEM outreach. from Scott Turner

Abstract.

For over a decade, University of Northampton staff and students have delivered successful STEM outreach activities, master classes and co-working opportunities to learners in schools and FE colleges.  In addition, the University works with the local STEMNET contract holder to gain national recognition for staff and students STEM Ambassadors and recognises STEM Ambassadors through awards (staff and student) as part of its annual celebration of volunteer achievement.  Both developments derive from a culture of empowering students as partners and enhancing the student journey.

The University has developed a co-ordinated programme of training and events to empower students and staff to engage with school and community outreach.  A cross-University STEM Steering Group (SSG) which features both management and grass roots-level representation from the across the University (Science and Technology, Health, Education, the Arts and its Centre for Employability and Engagement) manages the activities, including recruiting representation from the student body.  As such, SSG is uniquely well-placed to champion STEM activities across the University and to make these available to the wider community.  Local schools are able to access inspirational science activities, whilst University students gain employability-related skills in leadership, communication, project-delivery and self-motivation and staff gain valuable CPD.  Students also identify more strongly with the University.  The total package plays a major role in contributing to University aspirations in widening participation and is hugely popular with participants.  This paper will outline the project and will showcase the positive enhancements which it offers to University of Northampton students and school participants.


Conference details HEA STEM Annual Teaching and Learning Conference 2013: Enhancing the STEM Student Journey, University of Edinburgh, 30th April-1st May 2014

BCS Career Event - update.

Purpose: This event is organized to help support students of IT in their pursuit for employment. We hope to cover several routes in to work including 
 Placement and Internship schemes 
 Direct entry into work post-graduation 
 Graduate schemes
  Self-employment 


The aim is to make this event useful to students in IT at different stages (1st, 2nd and final years) of their respective courses and expect to have students from both campuses attending. Everyone will have something to take from this event. 


Highlights of this event will be a Q&A session featuring a panel comprising the speakers at the event as well as some students of the University who have gone through the various employment routes themselves and stalls from a selection of employers into IT roles in and around Northampton.  




Date: Thursday, 17th May 2012
Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm  
Venue: Avenue Campus, University of Northampton (Newton Building) 

Agenda

• 6:30 - 7:00 Tea/coffee, students to visit stalls 
• 7:20 - 7:40 First speaker: The Graduate (preparing for interviews/CV) 
• 7:00 - 7:20 Second speaker: Lydia Selby (finding good placements, intern schemes and/or going selfemployed)
• 7:40 - 8:00 Third speaker: Network Rail (Graduate schemes /Assessment centres) 
• 8:00 - 8:15 Refreshments 
• 8:15 - 8:45 (may go on till 9:00) Panel 

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or concerns. 


Thank you for your interest and I look forward to your kind contribution. 


Vimukthi Mahindaratne, BCS Committee Member (Young Professionals Group) 
Email: vimukthilk@gmail.com 

BCS Northampton Careers Event

On 17th May 2012, the Northampton Branch of the BCS is running a Careers event aimed mainly (but not exclusively) at young professionals in computing in Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.This builds on last years successful IT Skills for the Recession/Recovery event.

Questions you might want to use this session to help you with:
How do you know what skills are needed to strengthen your value to industry? 

How do you prepare for a job search?
How do you set yourselves apart from your peers?

Provisional Timetable

Venue: University of Northampton, Avenue Campus (room to be confirmed)

6:30 - 7:00 Tea/coffee, students to visit stalls

7:00 - 7:20 First speaker : FDM (finding grad/placement schemes etc)

7:20 - 7:40 Second speaker : The Graduate (preparing for interviews/CV)

7:40 - 8:00 Third speaker : Network Rail (Assessment centres)

8:00 - 8:15 Refreshments

8:15 - 8:45 (may go on till 9:00) Panel

Alongside these speakers other potential employers are aiming to attend. More details about this event will follow.

This event is open to BCS and non-BCS members. 

Commendation for Redefining Women in IT poster

A poster has presented at the ‘Gender and Interdisciplinary Education for Engineers -  GIEE 2011’ UPMC - Campus des Cordeliers, Paris, France., By Rashmi Dravid (School of Science and Technology, University of Northampton) and Catherine Klimes (Head of Careers and Employability, University). 


The poster focused on their work on  a six-month-long pilot project is being run at the University of Northampton that saw female students undertaking Computing degrees at The University of Northampton being mentored by professional women already working in the sector. More details are available here.

Their poster received special commendation at the Conference.

Women in Computing: Mentoring

The six-month-long pilot project is being run at the University of Northampton. This a collaboration between Rashmi Dravid (School of Science and Technology) and Catherine Klimes (Head of Careers and Employability) sees female students undertaking Computing degrees at The University of Northampton being mentored by professional women already working in the sector. They will be taking part in seminars, conferences and workshops as part of the project, supported by some of the leading organisations in the computing sector and independent IT consultants

The project also aims to motivate, inspire and mentor younger girls by the university students  supporting career days and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) based events at the University and secondary schools

IT Skills for the Recession / Recovery

Date/Time
Wednesday 9th March 2011, 18:30 for registration, start at 19:00. 

Venue: 
Newton Grand Hall, Newton Building, Avenue Campus, University of Northampton, St Georges Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JD

Maps: http://www.nvision-ipt.com/Contactus.aspx
Participants will be able to park around the back. You just need to drive down the small road to the left of the building and press the intercom button on the barrier and say you are there for the BCS event. 

Cost:
Open to members and the general public, no cost.

Speakers:
Large Business, Local Business, Recruitment / HR Agency, University, IT Training provider

Summary:
"Skills needed during a recession can differ from those when it’s ‘Business as usual’.  Appreciating this difference is essential to surviving in the current climate.

We have a new Government which is looking hard at budget cuts and this means redundancies in both public and private organisations. There is optimism that IT will play an important role in the economic recovery that is already being felt in certain sectors.

So, How do you know what skills are needed in this day to strengthen your value within your firm and wider industry? How do you prepare for a job search in this environment?
How do you hold down a job and progress within your organisation? How do you set yourselves apart from your peers?

Finally, if you are a fresh graduate, then what can you do to increase your chances of securing a job?"

For more information:
http://northampton.bcs.org/forthcoming_events.php?menu_id=4

Contact information regarding event and on the day:
Sarith Chandra MBCS (csarith@bcs.org - 07919113702)

 

Soft skills for Computer scientists: not a soft option

Within the Division of Computing, School of Science and Technology at the University of Northampton, Rashmi Dravid working closely with Andrea Duncan from DELTA-E, University of Northampton  looking at the personal development of the 'soft skills' for Computing students. This builds on and refines some earlier work by Jonathan Adams (School of Science and Technology) and Andrea on developing these soft skills in Engineering students.

As part of this project implementing the material in a web based form is being carried out by a second year computing student. Some this work is due to be presented at the "Learning Dialogues" Conference on 13th May 2010 (see http://www2.northampton.ac.uk/learningteaching/conference10/abstracts/Abstracts-006 for more detail)

Subject talks: Recommender systems

As part of the subject talks in computing programme organised by Rashmi Dravid, a recent talkby Dr Iqbal Adjali (Mathematics & Informatics Expertise Team Leader Unilever R&D Discover) looked at Personalisation Algorithms for Grocery Recommender Systems. 

This informative (and interesting) talk  introduced some of the concepts involved in developing personalisation algorithms for the grocery retail sector, and discussed wider aspects such as the business challenges that have or are likely to be addressed.

  

The talk used the work of Unilever's  Mathematics & Informatics group to illustrate how recommender system work. This group has been investigating various personalisation algorithms, in order to understand how their performance varies according to different data sets and application scenarios. The work of the group was illustrated by examples, the group has been working on, including the Swiss online supermarket LeShop (www.LeShop.ch), in analysing individual shopping basket (cf. loyalty card) data. As part of this collaboration, an on-line personalised retail recommender systems was developed, which also serve as a test-bed to evaluate the performance of their personalisation algorithms.