Students are aided in their understanding of biomedical engineering
From 12th to 15th July, twenty-two students from across the UK, attended a Biomedical Engineering course at the University of Southampton developed by The Smallpeice Trust, and generously sponsored by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM).
The four-day residential programme provided 15 and 16 year old students with an understanding about the captivating world of biomedical engineering and encouraged them to take up careers in this sector.
Over the duration of the course, students took part in a series of master classes and “design and make projects” covering topics including implants, dental biofilms and sleep signals. They attended laboratory demonstrations organized by the University of Southampton teams from Health Sciences and Bioengineering which included motion analysis, ultrasound imaging and joint torque analysis. Also as part of the programme, guest biomedical experts came in from Salisbury District Hospital’s Functional Electrical Stimulation group and the University of Liverpool’s Eye and Vision Sciences group.
During the course a design-and-make challenge was set for the students. Working in teams they had to design a device to assist less-abled people with their daily lives. As well as working on the design, build and testing element of the project, students developed life skills including teamwork, communication, problem solving, time and financial management.
Social activities included a BBQ, film evening and a trip to the local bowling alley. On the final night, The Smallpeice Trust hosted a conference style dinner and disco, where students and supervisors had the opportunity to socialise and share their experiences of the week.
Spokesperson Claire Fisher from the Trust commented, “With thanks to IPEM, we have been able to offer students an insight into this fast paced and ever changing subject. Students have thought like engineers and have come up with solutions to problems faced by disabled, infirm and elderly patients. It has been encouraging to see their dedication and enthusiasm, resulting in some outstanding devices.”
Dr. Paul Stoodley, from the University of Southampton commented, “This is an extremely popular course and for the majority of students this is the first time that they can see directly how biomedical engineering can make such a crucially important impact on peoples lives. The enthusiasm and expertise of the course facilitators and their creative interactive sessions really brought the many aspects of biomedical engineering to life, ranging all the way from problem solving, creative planning and design, to building and testing. And on top of all the hard work there was time make new friends and have some fun!”
The Biomedical Engineering course is run by the independent educational charity, The Smallpeice Trust, as part of an ongoing programme of subsidised residential courses to help young people aged 13 to 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design, technology and manufacturing. Through running residential courses and STEM enrichment days, The Trust has reached out to 17,677 students across the UK in the past year.
The new course timetable for 2012 will be launched in the Autumn school term. Places are allocated on a first come, first served basis. To find out more, visit www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk, or telephone The Smallpeice Trust on 01926 333200.