The First Week of Work

Oh wow! How quick did that week go?! Too quick in my mind. My first week in my new job has come to a close. So much has happened in one week and I have had some amazing experiences. I think I have had so many experiences that I worry I might have to split this post into two if I go too deeply into each one specifically. For those who haven't read my previous posts in the blog, I have gotten a job at the University of Wolverhampton as a intern in the faculty of Science and Engineering. My official title for this job role is 'Graduate STEM Outreach and Public Engagement' intern and it is definitely a very fun job to do. Though I've not had much time to myself. The job is 9am to 5pm which means I have to wake up at 6 and I don't get back until 5:30pm (On good days). I've literally not had any chance to write, even my graduation post will have to wait for a later date to be completed. I've been too busy with sorting events for the university or watching the new reality show, 'The Circle'. This week in particular has been busy, there has been so many events to get involved with and it wasn't really over on Friday...

... I had another event on this Sunday (Yesterday). The event was a local community outreach day at Newhampton art gallery within Wolverhampton. It was such a joy to be involved with. The team and I were set up in the large hall with several other stalls placed inside. At our (University of Wolverhampton) stall, there were a large variety of activities that were available for the public to play with. A selection of the sort of activities that were available included;

• The 'infected snot' stand - where you investigate the samples that a biomedical scientist or biologist would see by making DIY slime 
• An 3D anatomical body puzzle
• Air cannons - using air cannons to knock over a stack of cups 

I have also added some photos of the event at the bottom of the post. As well as minor things which show other parts of science such as slinkies with strings and pendulums. During the event, my role was to engage with the families and children at the various activities. Whilst doing this I would talk about the science behind the items. But, the time went by so quickly on Sunday. I didn't know whether to be pleased or slightly sad when home time came along because that stall was a very busy event. But, I was getting rather tried towards the end. Either way, that was such a fun event - engaging with the children and having a go with all the equipment we had. After all this a reporter took my photograph! Still waiting to see it on the newspaper's site. I definitely can't wait for the next event!

...

It wasn't just Sunday that an big event happened. There were several events and activities to be getting busy with within the week. The other main event happened on Wednesday. University of Wolverhampton hosted a STEM learning event involving several heads of science from the various schools around. The STEM team which involved me took charge of the hospitality. There were three scholars at the event who were talking to the teachers, Martin Reece, Emily and Dr Sarah Longshaw. I was mostly in charge of looking after Dr Sarah Longshaw. I escorted her to the room and made sure she had everything for the day. I also became tour guide to the teachers who were listening to Dr Longshaw's talk. It was another fun and informative day at the job. Dr Longshaw's talk was titled 'Questioning in the science classroom'. She spoke about the topic of learning objective, about how learning objectives should really formed as a question and not as a board statement. It was very informative talk and focused on why we ask questions with the classroom. I definitely think that I learnt something that day as well as the teachers who were there. There was also someone there from AQA - one of the exam boards from the UK. The speaker spoke about the exam papers from last year and where children lost their marks. It was very beneficial as my sister is doing her GCSEs (Those not from the UK - the last exams from secondary school) this year. I managed to jot most of the notes down and I also managed to get a copy of the powerpoint. So hope it helps my sister.
Wednesday was so interesting. It was fun to be apart of the STEM team, helping the scholars with their talks and getting to listen to them. I think that it has confirmed my love for teaching. Not sure whether I'll follow this idea though. But I've been thinking about entering teaching for a while. Just not sure whether it's the right job to head in. I sure that I'll sit on this thought for a bit - think over it again.


Another part of role that I enjoyed was being a tour guide for another traveling lecturer who came - Stuart. He was very easy person to talk to. We discussed many things as we walked to his lecture hall, anything from our university education to the details of mine and the lecturers job. I have also really enjoyed going to a marketing meeting for aspire at Wolves football stadium. It was so weird to be in the building that I had previously had my part time job as student, but as an outsider. Though the pitching from the other facilities were fun to listen to.

I already love the little role that I'm currently set into. It such a perfect job! Who doesn't want to be paid for playing with building toys?! Or setting/creating new science experiments to do for young people?! It's such a fun job. Plus, I might be involved with writing another blog or newsletter for my university. It'll be fun to be in charge of that. Due to all the planning, I don't really have a favourite part of the job. I guess I just like the fact that there is so many different things to get stuck into in this job- I can't possibly get bored.


Bring on this week!


The tower which the children built out of Zome - They were so determined to build it higher than me, pretty sure they did!

The 3D anatomic puzzle

The best activity of the stall - The Van de Graaff



The Air Cannons!