Downloads
The branch flyer is available from this link, please feel free to print it off and place on your company notice board, etc.Events
Past events available here or from "Seasons past" on the left.The IET and BCS have gathered together all known IT events in the Midlands at www.midlandsit.net, please feel free to check these out and attend any you may find interesting or useful.
Did I mention that all our open meetings are open?
Branch Events and Contacting the Secretary
All events are free (in the unlikely event they are not we will let you know up front) and booking is only essential where we ask you to prebook, e.g. for the Christmas Lecture or the events at Warwick University. In that case, please email the , or use the designated (University of Warwick) booking system as appropriate, thanks.Scratching with Sensors: the Coventry Branch way
| Date | Wednesday 16 May 2012 |
| Time | 18:30 - refreshments from 6:00pm |
| Speaker | Margaret Low and John Rendall - Coventry Branch Committee coventry.bcs.org/committee.php |
| Location | IMC, Warwick University |
| Abstract | Students at Warwick University have been going into local schools for over 3 years, introducing primary school children to Scratch through the Technology Volunteers scheme. In 2011 the Encouraging Young Engineering scheme (funded by the UK National Higher Education STEM, Engineering in Society programme) enabled the purchase of a classroom set of Scratch Sensor Boards and the development of classroom resources, extending the range of workshops the Technology Volunteers could offer to local schools. The Scratch sensor boards have the capability for four additional sensors to be connected, so for the last year, we've been exploring the opportunities for building homemade sensors using inexpensive materials readily available in the home. The joy and challenge of building cheap and cheerful sensors has a wide appeal to adults as well as children. It also opens a wide number of links to aspects of the maths, science, computing, design and technology, and engineering curriculum, supporting scientific investigation and discovery. The sensor boards also provide a means of challenging the notion that computer interfaces are only keyboards and monitors. Young people are already familiar with other interfaces for example to mobile phones and game consoles, being able to explore alternative inputs to a computer via the scratch sensor board opens new creative avenues. It also poses other questions, for example, how reliable are the sensors over time? How and why do they fail? How can we build better ones? Exploring why things fail or don't work is often a key to deeper learning. We have developed some recipe sheets based on homemade sensors, which we will share with workshop participants, and we'd love to hear other people's ideas for sensors or novel applications. Please come along and find out about teaching computer programming by stealth whilst having great fun! |
The Anatomy of a Mobile 'Phone
| Date | Thursday 14 Jun 2012 |
| Time | 18:30 - refreshments from 6:00pm |
| Speaker | Peter Andersen - IET |
| Location | Goldstein Lecture Theatre, Coventry University |
| Abstract | Have you ever wondered how your mobile 'phone works? This lecture will explore both the transmission systems, the environment they work in and the electronic devices (chips) that make up their circuit boards. The mysteries of WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, detecting magnetic north and many other functions will be uncovered and demonstrated. To book, please follow this link to the IET website thanks. |
Smart buildings: towards appropriate technology solutions - with dignity!
| Date | Wednesday 19 Sep 2012 |
| Time | 18:30 - refreshments from 6:00pm |
| Speaker | Dr Ken Parker - Principal Lecturer in Building Services Engineering wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/cucv/Pages/Profile.aspx?profileID=38 |
| Location | The New Space |
| Abstract | When does a building or a building system become smart? And how/why would a smart building have value to occupants? The talk will centre around how a building and its systems can be configured, or self-configured, to meet users needs (not necessarily their wants!) and reduce mis-use as a more effective strategy than strive for optimum use. Here is a simple example - in winter a thermostatic radiator valve (trv) strives to maintain a constant room temperature, as compared to a manual valve that might be too open (overheating) or too closed (not warm enough!). But the trv goes about its task regardless of whether the room is occupied, the time of day or if an abuse is occurring - such as a window left open in winter, causing the heating output to rise and, in so doing, maximise heat losses! The question then becomes - can a trv with time programming, occupancy sensor and linkage to window opening state be accepted as 'smart enough'? Configurable internal environments can not only save energy but they can better support the needs of persons with disability, seniors and others who may benefit from individualised supportive environments, such as those new to a building. For the talk Ken will blend quite a few topics - from energy and system use/ mis-use, inclusive design, 'just good enough' technology, building intelligence, etc - and, hopefully, have something interesting, topical and thought provoking !! We hope to combine this talk with a tour of the New Space which is also a smart building, please keep watching for more details. |
Tribute to Alan Turing : planned
Red Bull Racing - back on track!
| Date | Wednesday 21 Nov 2012 |
| Time | 18:30 - refreshments from 6:00pm |
| Speaker | Steven Nevey - Business Development Manager - Red-Bull Racing www.redbull.com/cs/Satellite/en_INT/Video/Red-Bull-Technology-2009---Red-Bull-F1-Factory-021242813018882 |
| Location | Coventry University |
| Abstract | Steve is fit and well and raring to give us the delayed talk! Red Bull entered formula one by purchasing the Jaguar Racing team in 2004 and life at the team has never been the same since. A total commitment to on-track success and a refreshing approach to how things are done in the paddock, prompting smiles and frowns from the incumbent regulars in approximately equal measure, has certainly spiced things up!a Steven Nevey - Business Development Manager - Red-Bull Racing will talk about the team's history and will describe the technology that is necessary to produce a World Championship winning car. He will explain Red Bull's approach to Formula One and will share details of what goes into getting the team and its entourage around the globe. Since agreeing to this talk Steve has moved into educational initiatives that leverage the motorsports world to encourage young talent into the technology sectors. |
Innovations in 3D visualisation
| Date | Wednesday 20 Feb 2013 |
| Time | 18:30 - refreshments from 6:00pm |
| Speaker | Dr. Abdul-Hadi Abulrub - Research Fellow people.bath.ac.uk/enpaa/index.htm |
| Location | Warwick University (keep watching for exact location) |
| Abstract | As the movie, Avatar, launched at the end of 2009, public awareness of three dimension (3D) visualisation has begun. 3D applications are not merely for gaming or movies but ready to transform day-to-day activities, consumer expectations and business processes. However, 3D could be the new mainstream of communication in consumer products in the next few years. Thus, it is important to recognise the new trend to review products digitally, especially with the ease of use of data management systems. The 3D digital models are integrated in the business to support their New Product Development (NPD) process which may also use physical prototypes to verify innovative designs. However, with the advancement in 3D technologies and virtual environments, the intention is to reduce the physical prototypes to a feasible minimum by performing verification tasks early at the concept stage on a digital model. In the future, a better understanding of 3D digital prototyping in the engineering processes will boost the confidence in making decisions with anticipation to move away from physical models in the NPD process. Join us to explore how organisations have to adopt 3D innovation strategically. |