Showing posts with label northamptonshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label northamptonshire. Show all posts

Sunday, 4 September 2016

29th September 2016 - Northampton BCS AGM

29th September 2016 - Northampton BCS AGM

Location: Room NW205 of The Newton Building at The University of Northampton, Avenue Campus, St Georges Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JB 7pm
Agenda
* AGM
* Election of Officers
* Briefing regarding proposed training events on a Tuesday night

Want to join the Committee?
A general member is a good way to start
However if you have previous experience you may be interested in one of the other posts.
Take a look at the various posts and requirements, and if you are interested please get in touch with the Northampton Group.
Roles for Committee Members
The following two mandatory roles must be filled by two separate individuals. All other roles and suggested activities, may be shared amongst committee members as they see fit. The activities suggested for non-mandatory roles are indicative only.


MANDATORY ROLES
Chair
 Must be a professional member of BCS (MBCS/FBCS)
 Responsible for the supervision of all matters concerning the effective leadership of the Member Group.
 Chairs all general (AGMs and EGMs) and committee meetings.
 Prepares the Chair’s Report for each AGM.
 Ensures the formulation of strategies for the committee and implements appropriate actions to achieve the strategic goals.


Treasurer
 Must be a professional member of BCS (MBCS/FBCS)
 Prepares annual budget and potential project funding each year.
 Responsibility to the Member Group Committee for the Member Group funds and any other appropriate financial business.
 Reports at fixed intervals to Member Group Committee.
 Submits income and expenditure statements produced by BCS Finance for the AGM.
 Deals with payments and receipts to and from operational budget and liaises with BCS Swindon necessary.
 Notifies, through Member Groups Team (groups@bcs.uk), any forecast overspend together with (a) circumstances leading to this position and (b) proposed action plan to resolve the situation.


At least 3 other (General) Committee members. (Can carry out some of the roles listed below.)
 Helps runs the group generally.
 Deputise for other officers as required.
 Particularly required for helping to establish the season’s programme.


RECOMMENDED ROLES
The following roles are covered by the committee, whether by an individual or shared alongside another role.


Secretary
 Gives due notice of all general meetings (AGMs and EGMs) to all group members.
 Gives due notice of committee vacancies to all group members.
 Arranges suitable locations for committee meetings.
 Prepares and issues agenda for all general meetings and committee meetings.
 Records the minutes of all general meetings and committee meetings Sends a digital copy of each set of approved minutes to the Member Groups Team on groups@bcs.uk.
 Handles correspondence between Member Groups Team and the Member Group.
 Maintains committee address list, via the Member Groups Team on groups@bcs.uk.


Membership Secretary
 Must be a professional member of BCS (MBCS/FBCS)
 Welcomes new members and distributes information on forthcoming events and other introductory information.
 Encourages individuals who have enquired about membership to join.
 Co-ordinates the recruitment of IT professionals at Member Group events and through other methods, using member data provided on the group committee secure area
 Records attendance numbers at events and sends numbers through to the Member Groups Team on groups@bcs.uk
 Co-ordinates a list of non-member attendees.
 Maintains a database of key contacts to facilitate the distribution of publicity material and other information.
 Must comply with BCS Data Protection Guidelines.


Email Coordinator
 Acts as a focal point to distribute emails to Member Group members (e.g. notifying them of forthcoming events) using the BCS List Server facility.
 Can be asked to send emails to own group members by other groups.
 Distributes information regularly to an established network of contacts.


Webmaster
 Non-CMS: Creates and maintains the group website, liaising with BCS Web Team (webteamcms@hq.bcs.org.uk) over the various methods.
 Non-CMS: Either posts content to the website or provides access to committee members to post their own content.
 CMS sites: Sends through to BCS Web Team (webteamcms@hq.bcs.org.uk) amendments for the Member Group website.
 The Webmaster may also facilitate the use of other online channels for publishing events – such as social media, discussion forums – or the Member Group may have a separate ‘Social Media Officer’ to do this.


Publicity Officer
 Ensures maximum coverage of group events, both before and after they occur.
 Writes copy for media on Member Group activities.
 Ensures all Group events are included in the BCS Diary.
 Liaises with local press and radio.
 Organise mail shots, programme cards, posters, etc.


Young Professional Group (YPG) Representative
 Liaises between the Member Group Committee and the YPG Executive Committee, as well as representing the views of young professionals within the Member Group.

 Arranges and publicises YPG events, provides details of special offers and YPG projects.
 Creates local Student chapters within local universities.
 Attends YPG Congress on behalf of the Member Group Committee.
 Liaises with other Member Group YPG Representatives.
Events Coordinator / Programme Card Coordinator
 Puts the season’s event programme together
 Makes administrative and logistical arrangements for the events, including venue, catering etc. using the BCS Events Booking System where appropriate.

OTHER OPTIONAL ROLES
The following roles are optional.


Education Liaison Officer
 Corresponds with universities, colleges and schools, with a possibility to set up Student Prizes in the area.
 Organises suitable events to represent the BCS in local schools and colleges, such as careers evenings, or attends those organised by local schools and Careers Offices.


Disability Support Officer
 Acts as a focus for local initiatives and actions where the use IT is to the benefit of disabled people.
 Identifies and organises events to increase the awareness and understanding of the IT industry towards the needs of the disabled.


Industry Liaison Officer
 Liaises with local companies and any local representative bodies such as the Chamber of Commerce
 Liaises with local public sector bodies and other organisations such as charities, in order to promote the BCS and professionalism in IT, particularly as it relates to the local context and the branch.
 Promotes Member Group activities and encourages suggestions for events; facilitating BCS membership enquiries and assisting with awareness of BCS products and services.


Social Media Officer
 Engages with members, potential members and other organisations and groups using social media.
 Uses social media to advertise events.



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

Tuesday, 19 April 2016

University of Northampton hosts PiJam

Taken from: http://www.northampton.ac.uk/news/minecraft-jam-and-history-in-the-making/


Pi canva
History was made on Saturday as the University of Northampton hosted Northamptonshire’s first-ever Raspberry Jam.
Raspberry Jams see those with an interest in the affordable – and tiny –Raspberry Pi computer get together to share knowledge, learn new things and meet other enthusiasts.
More than 30 people of all ages attended the county’s inaugural Jam at Avenue Campus, which was organised by the University’s Associate Professor in Computing and Immersive Technologies, Dr Scott Turner.
He said: “The Jam was a real success, with a wide mixture of people including fairly notable experts; those who have a Pi, but aren’t quite sure what to do with it and complete novices.
“It was great to see people who had some sort of Pi-related query have their questions answered, and others showing off what they have managed to get their Pi to do.
“It really helped to inspire the novices to get more involved in the Raspberry Pi, which will ultimately help them develop their coding skills.”
Computing and Science teacher Steve Foster, from Wollaston School, led a session on the popular Minecraft game, and was ably assisted by five of his Year 10 pupils.
One of the pupils, Ellie, said: “One of the groups had a problem with their coding and I managed to solve it for them. I love the challenges a Raspberry Pi can give you, and when you are able to solve the problem it’s really cool.”
The University is committed to making a positive social impact on the people of Northamptonshire and has set itself four ambitious challenges to meet by 2020.
One of these ‘Changemaker+ Challenges’ is to make Northamptonshire the best county in the UK for children and young people to flourish and learn – something the Raspberry Jam has contributed to.


All opinions in this blog are the Author's and should not in any way be seen as reflecting the views of any organisation the Author has any association with.



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

Friday, 2 October 2015

The Race to the Top Code Competition takes off.

The Race to the Top Coding Competition was launched today (2nd October 2015) at University of Northampton. 




Northamptonshire County Council, The Worshipful Company of Information Technolgists (WCIT, a City of London Livery Company)Code Club and the University of Northampton have organised a competition for schools to encourage increased and improved teaching of computer coding.
The aim of the competition is to inspire young people to achieve digital fluency through collaboration and challenge. The competition will run from the launch event on 2 October, 2015 until the closing date of 8 January, 2016.
The entries will be judged by representatives from all four organisations and our sponsors, and the winning entries will be rewarded with The Northamptonshire Race to the Top Coding Competition Cup and prizes for the students and their schools.

The Challenge

  • Primary Category, Years 4-6 – Groups of up to 6 students from Years 4, 5, or 6 will design a game based around saving energy using the coding programme Scratch. Students will also have to come up with their own team name and logo. They will then present their game to the judges with a 2 minute video uploaded to YouTube. This competition will be led by Code Club.
  • Secondary Category, Year 9 – Groups of up to 6 students will use coding to design a mobile application based around saving energy. Students will also have to come up with their own team name and logo. They will then present the app to the judges with a 2 minute video uploaded to YouTube. This competition will be led by WCIT and the University of Northampton.
The games and apps will be judged by our panel, and the very best entries from each level will be awarded this year’s Race to the Top Coding Competition Cup and a personal Raspberry Pi computer. Level 2 winners will also be invited to represent the WCIT on their stand at the prestigious Livery Schools Link Showcase event at The City of London Corporation Guildhall in March, 2016


A pod cast of the event by Alan O'Donohoe (alias Teknoteacher ) see below: 




For more details on the competition go to Race to the Top Coding Competition


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

Monday, 28 September 2015

Race to the Top Coding Competition

Race to the Top Coding Competition



Northamptonshire County Council, The Worshipful Company of Information Technolgists (WCIT, a City of London Livery Company)Code Club and the University of Northampton have organised a competition for schools to encourage increased and improved teaching of computer coding.
The aim of the competition is to inspire young people to achieve digital fluency through collaboration and challenge. The competition will run from the launch event on 2 October, 2015 until the closing date of 8 January, 2016.
The entries will be judged by representatives from all four organisations and our sponsors, and the winning entries will be rewarded with The Northamptonshire Race to the Top Coding Competition Cup and prizes for the students and their schools.

The Challenge

  • Primary Category, Years 4-6 – Groups of up to 6 students from Years 4, 5, or 6 will design a game based around saving energy using the coding programme Scratch. Students will also have to come up with their own team name and logo. They will then present their game to the judges with a 2 minute video uploaded to YouTube. This competition will be led by Code Club.
  • Secondary Category, Year 9 – Groups of up to 6 students will use coding to design a mobile application based around saving energy. Students will also have to come up with their own team name and logo. They will then present the app to the judges with a 2 minute video uploaded to YouTube. This competition will be led by WCIT and the University of Northampton.
The games and apps will be judged by our panel, and the very best entries from each level will be awarded this year’s Race to the Top Coding Competition Cup and a personal Raspberry Pi computer. Level 2 winners will also be invited to represent the WCIT on their stand at the prestigious Livery Schools Link Showcase event at The City of London Corporation Guildhall in March, 2016.

Website for more details:
Race to the Top Coding Competition - Northamptonshire County Council


 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

Saturday, 5 July 2014

BCS event (Bedford and Northants branches) Family Day visit to Bletchley Park

British Computer Society (Bedford and Northants branches) Visit to Bletchley Park – Family Day
 
 
Date: Sunday, 20 July 2014
 
ThemeBletchley Park – The National Museum of Computing – Family Day
 
Time:  Doors open at 10.30am for an 11.00am start
 
Location:  The National Museum of Computing, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB (http://www.tnmoc.org/)
 
Abstract
 
You are warmly invited to take part in a Family Day in July at Bletchley Park’s National Museum of Computing (TNMOC) on Sunday 20 July.  Bring all the family – there will be activities suitable for children of all ages..
 
This event is for members of BCS Bedford and Northampton branches and their families. 
 
 
TNMOC enables visitors to follow the development of computing from the ultra-secret pioneering efforts of the 1940s through the mainframes of the 1960s and 1970s, and the rise of personal computing in the 1980s - including a newly rebuilt and fully operational Colossus, the world’s first electronic programmable computer.
 
TNMOC receives no government or lottery funding and you will be impressed by the enthusiasm of the staff involved in the project including the many volunteers who regularly give up their valuable time to ensure that this ever growing collection is restored and maintained.
 
You will need to register at http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/date/111246.  It would be a good idea to register NOW since the event is completely free for the first 40 people who register (20 people from each branch).  Note that children below the age of 6 years are welcome but will not be included in these numbers (we still need their details for catering purposes). 
 
There will be a small charge for people who wish to attend above this number (unless there are cancellations).  If you are unable to register free on the www.ticketsource.co.uk website, you can register your interest on the British Computer Society website’s https://events.bcs.org/book/1166/ .
 
Parents attending with children under 6 year olds will need to send a separate email to groups@hq.bcs.org.uk with the Subject Line: BCS Bedford Bletchley Park Event with the following details
Name:
Any special requirements such as dietary: 
 
Luncheon and drinks will be provided free of charge.
 
A base room will be made available for use during the day with tea, coffee and water freely available all day.  The LEGO will be kept in this room so that those who do not complete the competition in the morning will have the opportunity to try it in the afternoon. 
 
Agenda
 
10.30am       Registration and refreshments
 
11.00am       Welcome
Tour of the LEGO-DUPLO Building with activities for children including a LEGO competition (build a vintage  computer from LEGO blocks)
OR
Guided Tour of ‘The National Museum of Computing’
 
12.30am       Luncheon
 
After lunch       
  • Free-flow through ‘The National Museum of Computing’.  You are free to wander at will and enjoy all the interactive displays.  There are a multitude of activities suitable for all ages - not least vintage games consoles, a host of other games and also coding opportunities on the BBC Micro, in Scratch and on the Raspberry Pi (in its Fuze guise).
  • Tour of the Colossus and Tunny Galleries
  • View of the world's oldest original working digital computer – the Harwell Dekatron computer aka ‘WITCH’
  • Women in Computing                         
 
The agenda is still being finalised but will include a family quiz between Bedford and Northants branches.  Let’s hope that the sun continues to shine so we can get out the giant lawn chess set!  
 
 
How to get there
The National Museum of Computing is located on the Bletchley Park Estate, near Milton Keynes.  The post code is MK3 6EB.  When using a sat-nav please enter Sherwood Drive, Bletchley, as the postcode may take you to the wrong location.
 
At the Main Gate of Bletchley Park ask for The National Museum of Computing in Block H.  There are parking spaces there and parking is free.
 
For further information see http://www.tnmoc.org/visit/getting-here.
 
Disabled Access
The museum has wheelchair access to all galleries and displays, and there is a unisex disabled toilet near the TNMOC Shop.

Tuesday, 2 April 2013

junkbots goes south again


During National Science and Engineering Week 2013, as part of the activities provided by the University of Northampton, the Junkbots project, run by a member of the computing team, returned as part of programme of activities to South End Primary School, Rushden, Northamptonshire, UK. 


National Science and Engineering Week is annual event celebrating science and engineering activities (http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/national-science-engineering-week)

Last year during the same week Junkbots also formed part of the activities (see http://junkbots.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/junkbots-goes-south.html). The junkbots project is run by the computing team as part of the team's work on problem-solving skills (for example: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/teaching-and-learning-journal-papers.html)




This time we worked with two classes - a year 2 and a year 5 class; building the drawing junkbot. Examples of previous drawing junkbots are shown above. Approximately 50 children took part across the two 45 minute activities.

Essentially a drawing junkbot is based around a drinks can that:
- draw patterns without anyone touching it;
-carried the battery pack or not depends on the age of the group;
-moves by shaking a can using an unbalanced motor with 'legs' make from pens.


Related links



If you would like to know more about the Junkbots project contact scott.turner@northampton.ac.uk