CSES@ARU Science and Engineering Saturday Club

Having just completed its second year, our Science and Engineering Saturday Club focuses on exploring the science and engineering behind real-life activities and problems that affect our health and wellbeing. As well as professionals and academics, the Club was supported by our medicine, science, engineering and business students, giving our members a unique opportunity to talk to current ARU students studying a range of STEM related courses they may be interested in. The programme enabled students to use state-of-the-art equipment in our unique Super Lab facilities and the workshop and computer laboratories at ARU's Chelmsford Campus. In addition to sessions on campus, the students visited external STEM related centres.

Overall, the students learnt a range of science and engineering skills including: Laboratory health and safety, microbiology, medical diagnostics, statistics, 3DCAD design and printing, pump engineering, clock construction and even bush craft!

Read more: CSES Imagine! Saturday Club completes a second year

The 2024 Chelmsford Skills Festival was held on Thursday 27 June at ARU Writtle. CSES attended the event, alongside Teledyne e2v, BAE Systems and other businesses in the region.

A whole school day event for Year 8s, to help them choose their exam options, eight local schools attended, with an estimated footfall of 1,200 students in total at the event. There were around 75 companies and organisations represented, accommodated in seven large marquees.

On the CSES stand, we had an autonomous line-following robot (bit:bot) and a hand-strength gauge which proved quite popular with students seeing who of their group had the strongest and weakest hand grip. There was also a small box of "electronic poo", i.e. dead batteries, which stimulated much discussion about the necessity, science and engineering of correctly disposing of waste materials to protect the environment and ecology. This was accompanied by a range of leaflets and booklets explaining what engineering is and some of the different types of engineering that takes place.

Overall, this was a very good and enjoyable day. The society's thanks to Chris Neale and Ed Bye for supporting.

In a wonderful display of creativity and collaboration, Felsted School pupils, parents, and staff teamed up with REMAP engineers at the Billericay Soapbox Derby. The annual extravaganza drew in thousands of spectators eager to witness the spectacle of soapbox chariots hurtling down a perilous route towards the finishing line. This year, Felsted pupils have partnered with REMAP, working collaboratively to create a computerised memory game aimed at assisting people with dementia. Weekly sessions with REMAP engineers have provided Felsted students with invaluable opportunities to hone their scientific, engineering and design skills, all while contributing to a meaningful cause.

Read more: Felsted Pupils Shine at Billericay Soapbox Derby 2024

Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2024 CSES TEXPO, which took place on Friday 21 June 2024 at Anglia Ruskin University.

Read more: 2024 TEXPO results

25 April 2024 was the 150th anniversary of the birth of Guglielmo Marconi, inventor of radio and to whom the city of Chelmsford owes much of its industrial heritage.

Marconi set up the first factory for his Wireless Telegraph & Signal Company in Hall Street, Chelmsford in 1898. The work that took place there (and other sites subsequently) changed the world, completely revolutionising how we communicate with each other, entertain the population and sense the world around us. Find out more by reading this BBC article by CSES member Tim Wander.

The history of CSES, which had its centenary in 2020, is closely linked to the history of the Marconi Company. In its earliest days, the society was a meeting of engineers from the major companies based in Chelmsford, including Marconi's. You can read more about our history here.

We mark this occasion in collaboration with the Museo Marconi, Bologna, Italy, who are holding a special celebration event, further details of which can be found here.

CSES Schools' TEXPO: Fri 21 June 2024, ARU Chelmsford (9am for 10am start, latest 3pm finish)

For Y5-13 | Show your project to scientists and engineers | Cash prizes | Free lunch!

Are you in a STEM club at primary or secondary school? Have you made or investigated something fantastic in technology or science lessons? Have you been doing interesting technical projects at home?

Are you a teacher who'd like to showcase your pupils' / students' work? Or are you a parent, guardian or tutor whose child has been working on an exciting project?

If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then exhibit at the annual CSES TEXPO. There is prize money to be won and we even provide lunch!

We welcome projects from all areas of science and technology. This could be something you've made, software, experiments, reports, posters, videos etc. Entrants to the competition are encouraged to submit projects that they have been working on already in class or at home, including those for coursework, meaning that no extra work is necessary. There is no need to have a 'finished product', and your project can be originally from another competition or scheme.

Show your work to our judges, who include professional scientists and engineers, and you'll be in with a chance of winning a prize!

Click here to find out more | Click here to enter your project(s)

Read more: TEXPO 2024 now open for entries

We are pleased to advise that our Centenary Photographic Competition 2024, this year on the theme of Time, is now open until Friday 14 June 2024 to allow for further entries.

We want you to take photographs (up to 3 entries) that express what time means to you, or how it impacts health or our environment, including the negative or positive roles of technology.

The competition is open to primary or secondary aged students living or educated in Essex. We will be looking for photos that are creative in their approach, with an innovative angle on the subject or a creative interpretation of the themes.

There are two categories of entry: one for primary school students and one for those at secondary level. Cash prizes are available!

You can read the full details here or click below to submit an entry.

Click here to submit your entry »

Happy snapping!

Are you looking for a flexible, low-commitment way to get more involved in the work of CSES and promoting STEM more generally? Do you have a couple of hours you could spare each month?

If so, then the role of CSES Secretary could be for you. We are urgently seeking candidates to fill this vital position. Please do consider putting yourself forward.

The formal role has a few key responsibilities with a very low time commitment (some more details on this below), but you would be able to take part in and volunteer for other activities organised by CSES if you wish, such as the Science Festival, TEXPO, Saturday Club and events in schools. As such, this is an excellent opportunity for someone looking for flexibility. It is also great for someone looking for career development, as the role can be high-profile, with excellent networking and collaboration opportunities with major local organisations.

If you are interested, or know someone who might be, please contact us.

Please note that we are also recruiting for the role of CSES President.

Read more: Urgently seeking new CSES Secretary