9 May 2013

CASS seeks to engage with next generation

Photo opportunity: 10am to 12pm on Wednesday, 15th May at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill.

More than 350 primary school children will next week learn about mobile technology, creating comics, and the experiences of street children growing up in extreme poverty through an interactive programme designed to give them a flavour of what goes on at the University of Dundee.

The Public Engagement Day will be hosted by the University's College of Arts and Social Sciences in the Dalhousie Building on Wednesday, 15th May. Primary 4-6 pupils from Ancrum Road, Barnhill, Claypotts Castle, Clepington, Hillside, Rosebank and St Clements schools will have the opportunity to engage with academic initiatives and projects though a series of fun workshops and exhibitions.

The programme takes place across a number of curriculum areas, including Expressive Arts, Health & Wellbeing, Languages, Sciences, Social Studies, and Technologies. It has been designed to stimulate the children's imagination and teach them about the impact that universities have using methods suitable for their age and developmental stage.

Professor Christopher Whatley, University Vice Principal Head of CASS, said, "It is never too early to show children that University is something they can aspire to and to try and inspire them to work hard in order to fulfil their potential.

"Public engagement is at the heart of everything we do, and we believe it is for everyone. The programme that the staff at CASS have put together is an exciting and innovative way to show the range of research and teaching that go on here. Hopefully we will make an impression on our young visitors and we will see them return as students in future years."

In line with the University's 'transformation' vision for the future, CASS is seeking to share its knowledge locally in order to make a difference to the social and cultural wellbeing of society.

The event takes place from 10am to 12pm at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill on Wednesday, 15th May. Each class will take part in three workshops as well as spending time in the interactive exhibition area that will educate them about subjects as diverse as Dundee at war, eye movements and the plight of street children in other parts of the world.

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277