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York Children’s University ignites imaginations

Posted on 4 March 2015

York Children’s University (York CU) entertained over 300 children and families from 19 schools across the city this month.

'Can robots be our friends?' session hosted at Canon Lee School (credit: Professor Jon Timmis)

The popular CU in the City programme hosted fun, free learning events for children with the aim of engaging them to learn outside of the classroom.

Three events were run by academics from the University of York - the Department of Electronics’ Professor Jon Timmis presented cutting-edge research with ‘Can robots be our friends?’, the Department of Chemistry’s Dr Annie Hodgson demonstrated how and why fireworks bang, and Katherine Leech from the Department of Physics introduced children to scientific discoveries and how they affect our everyday lives. 

York Student's Union voluntary group Inkwell also delivered a creative writing workshop about trekking through the Antarctic as intrepid explorers. 

The Children’s University is a national scheme which seeks to inspire children by taking them to new places with the aim of raising aspirations, boosting achievement and fostering a love of learning.

York CU is led and managed by York Cares and the University of York under the national Children’s University Trust, which brings together schools, businesses, universities, museums, libraries, sports and music clubs and outdoor activities.

Helen Green, Volunteering Project Officer for York Cares, said: "We are very grateful to the students and academics from the University of York who did a fantastic job at bringing their subjects to life in really fun and interactive ways for CU in the City. From creative writing in the Antarctic, to flying robots, these events were extremely popular with children and families, and have hopefully helped to inspire the next generation!"

The next York CU event will be a children’s graduation ceremony on Thursday 26 March. Taking place at Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall, the ceremony recognises children who have participated in a variety of learning activities throughout the last year. Around 80 children plan to attend, supported by their parents and schools.

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