Chips for everyone: Exploring engineering engagement through practical interactive simulation

Magill, J. (2010) Chips for everyone: Exploring engineering engagement through practical interactive simulation. In: Filippoupoliti, A. (ed.) Science Exhibitions: Communication and Evaluation. Series: Science Exhibitions (2). Museums etc: Edinburgh, pp. 388-411. ISBN 9780956194381

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Publisher's URL: http://www.museumsetc.com/?p=2211

Abstract

Engineering and technology are all around us and permeate every facet of daily life. From medical applications in bone reconstruction and frame design for a winning the Olympic bike; through the design of energy infrastructure and utilities from wind turbines to nuclear power stations; to the brains inside every electronic device in our cars computers and mobile phones, engineering really is everywhere.1 Despite the pervasiveness of the technology, and possibly as a result of this, engineering, particularly in the UK, is a widely misunderstood and often unrecognised discipline.2 Recent research with pupils in their early teens reveals a very limited view of engineering careers and occupations.3,4 Engineering is rarely a taught subject in most school curricula and instead appears as applied aspects within the science subjects. For electronics and semiconductor technology the problem is even greater because the products of the technology are usually physically hidden for their own protection. And yet it might be argued that the use of this hidden technology is increasing faster than any other. Semiconductor devices or silicon chips are tiny electronic circuits built onto pure crystals of the chemical element, silicon, that are the brains inside every computer. In modern western society most of the population young or old will be carrying at least one semiconductor device all the time, their mobile phone. Our cars now rely on onboard computers for both control and diagnostics of faults; domestic appliances from washing machines to microwave ovens offer more and more functions facilitated by computers and electronic sensors; options in home entertainment are ever increasing – television and radio sets offer an often bewildering array of audio and video recording and playback devices including home computers; and in personal communication semiconductor technology provides us with the ability to communicate with almost anyone at any time wherever we are. Chips for Everyone is an ongoing ten year project which aims to reveal semiconductor technology to a broad audience from young children to adults and in a wide range of locations from schools to shopping centres. This paper describes the development and evaluation of Chips for Everyone from small beginnings to reaching over 25,000 people across the UK and beyond by 2009.

Item Type:Book Sections (Other)
Status:Published
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Magill, Dr Jane
Authors: Magill, J.
Subjects:L Education > LB Theory and practice of education
L Education > L Education (General)
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education
Research Group:ISETL
Publisher:Museums etc
ISBN:9780956194381

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
292501PPA: Chips for Everyone - workshops in semiconductor technologyJane MagillEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)GR/N67985/01ED - INTERDISC. SCIENCE ED TECH & LEARN.
385132Chips with relish - workshops in semi conductor technologyJane MagillEngineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)57243/RCCJVM002ED - INTERDISC. SCIENCE ED TECH & LEARN.
464531Chips With FlairJane MagillThe Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE)Mag01Ing07ED - INTERDISC. SCIENCE ED TECH & LEARN.