10th Annual South West Computing Conference

Theme: Green IT
Warning: Data transfer in progress. Conceptual shot of the information highway

  • University of Plymouth

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The University of Plymouth, in collaboration with the University of Exeter, invites teachers and secondary students (GCSE and A level) to attend our three-track Annual South West Computing Conference. This event will run from 08:45–15:00 at our University of Plymouth campus.
Primary and secondary computing teachers will receive a variety of CPD talks on the theme of Green IT and chance to network with colleagues, while students will have the chance to get hands-on experience of the computer science they could study at university as well as a taste of student life. Lunch will be provided for both students and teachers. 
More details of the talks and sessions included in each of the three tracks can be found in the sections below. 
Please register via the above links or contact sciengoutreach@plymouth.ac.uk for any queries.
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Primary Teacher Track
08:45 | Registration
09:15 | Embedding Green IT discussion into the computing classroom
In this talk #TechWomen100 award winner Beverly Clarke will look at practical ways to bring Green IT as a relatable topic into the computing classroom, to ensure that all learners see computing as relevant and vital in the management of climate change.
10:00 | Introduce a Crumble Robot Day into your KS2 Curriculum
This session aims to give inspiration on how physical computing can be made part of the curriculum. Exeter School run a Robot Day for Year 5 pupils where they build, program and test their own robot over a morning. Pupils develop their collaboration skills as they persevere and debug their hardware and software errors, then they navigate their robot through a selection of mazes. This session will go through the process of how you could introduce something similar in your own school. We will share the electronic resources, sample programs and a walk through of how you can set up this kind of event in your school. We will also provide ideas of how you could extend the learning to fill a day and how to use tools such as Flip to reflect on and record the learning as it takes place.
10:45 | BREAK
11:00 | Physical computing for climate change with micro:bit
Remove the barriers to working with abstract code for our youngest learners by allowing them to interact with the micro:bit, the small digital device which can be programmed by all age groups in primary schools. Join our session to see how these devices can be used to investigate and raise awareness of our environment.
12:30 | LUNCH
13:30 | Barefoot Computing
Neil Rickus from Barefoot Computing will introduce a practical session which will involve attendees using resources to produce digital content.  
14:15 | Plenary
Review of the day and wrap up. We finish with opportunities for discussion and networking.
15:00 | End
Secondary Teacher Track
08:45 | Registration
09:15 | Embedding Green IT discussion into the computing classroom
In this talk #TechWomen100 award winner Beverly Clarke will look at practical ways to bring Green IT as a relatable topic into the computing classroom, to ensure that all learners see computing as relevant and vital in the management of climate change.
10:00 | Challenges of computer science education
Dr Matthew Collison is a lecturer in Computer Science at Exeter University. His academic interests are computer science education and data systems. 
10:45 | BREAK
11:00 | Physical computing solutions for climate change (Pi and Bit)
Young people are subject to the impact of climate change and often feel disempowered to take action. The RaspberryPi has proven to be popular with a wide range of students, including those who are reluctant learners in computing lessons. This session will demonstrate how the device can serve at cross-curricular level to drive young people’s engagement towards positive change.
12:30 | LUNCH
13:30 | Computing to change the world: a digital future for Cornwall's students
Cornwall Council’s mission is to work together for a carbon neutral Cornwall. To do that we need to build skills in everything from green construction to earth observation data analysis. Whether it’s using AI to make our homes more efficient, using space data to solve the climate crisis, or delivering the systems needed for clean energy, the children in school right now are the ones who will be using digital skills to change the world.
14:15 | Plenary
Review of the day and wrap up. We finish with opportunities for discussion and networking.
15:00 | End
GCSE and A Level Student Track
Students will be split into three smaller groups that will rotate through the sessions throughout the day to allow for more interactive experiences.
  • 08:45 | Registration
  • 09:15 | Welcome talk and introduction to university computer science
  • 10:00 | Session 1: micro:bits, cyber security or high performance computing
  • 10:45 | BREAK
  • 11:00 | Campus tour
  • 11:30 | Student Ambassador Q&A
  • 12:00 | LUNCH
  • 12:45 | Session 2: micro:bits, cyber security or high performance computing
  • 13:30 | Session 3: micro:bits, cyber security or high performance computing
  • 14:15 | Plenary talk
  • 15:00 | End
 

In partnership

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