SATROCLUB EXTENDED PLACEMENTS

Fabia from Strode's College started a SATROClub extended work placement at the University of Surrey on 21st July for 4 weeks. Here's what she had to say about her experience after just a week.

"On the first day we were given a tour of the university followed by journal reading of researches on Vitamin D.

Second day was at Woking town centre with Louise, where we looked for volunteers willing to take a survey on Vit D. At first it was quite difficult given that we had to recruit South Asian volunteers only. Fortunately we were quite successful that day as we got more volunteers than expected.

On the third day, we took a tour to the Surrey Sports Park. There we observed the physical changes like heart rate, oxygen saturation, tidal volume of a person on an exercising bike, the resistance of which increases as time passes. We also had an optional seminar on 'Preventing Brain-Injury Associated with Depression'. Unfortunately I could not attend that seminar since I had blistered my feet that day.

We spent the fourth and fifth day mostly in the office, working on a critical review and the introduction of the report for the Gold Crest Award. The critical review is on a research journal that Louise had set out for each of us. We we'll be presenting our review on the coming Tuesday."

We hope the rest of your placement was as enjoyable and educational as the first week! 

SATROCLUB EXTENDED WORK PLACEMENT

Student Thomas Burridge started his placement at the University of Surrey on 14th July, where he would be working for 4 weeks. Here is what he had to say about his experience after 2 weeks..

"I am now 2 weeks into my placement (started on 14th July). I found that the first two days were quite intense because my supervisor (Radu) had to teach me a lot of complicated physics but I now understand most of it and it is becoming easier. Although some of the theory involved in the project is very advanced, I am really enjoying it because I am learning something new and different to what I have learned in college.

My project is based on simulating transistors so I have learned how to use some software to simulate the transistors and it didn't take long to get used to it. We spent three days making transistors in the lab and then testing them, which I thought was very interesting. Overall I have had a great experience so far and I am looking forward to the next 2 weeks of my placement."

We hope you enjoyed the final 2 weeks of your placement Thomas!

HARD WORKERS @ HEATHSIDE GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Two SATRO Business Games were held at Heathside School in Weybridge last week. Over the two days, around 400 keen students from Year 10 took part. Participants had to start up a company and discuss their logo, company name and their roles within the business. They were then set the task of making and selling the goods to make a profit. The exciting  day ended with a presentation where the judges choose the winner.

One student commented, 

"The dynamics and roles of how a company functioned surprised me, but also helped me to learn how to work in a team to be successful. Working with different people I normally would not have, helped me to be more confident with my employability skills too."

Another commented, 

 "I was surprised by the freedom and how our choices affected us, we were given the freedom to make our own decisions with little or no guidance to the correct answer/product. I learnt how companies work and function with specific people doing very important and vital roles to make the company successful."

Some very valuable lessons!