Teesside University has hosted 3 exciting masterclasses this year in a range of subject areas, welcoming schools from the Teesside area and further afield.
The Animexperience masterclass was the first to take place in February, attended by NCEA Duke’s Secondary School, Polam Hall School and St Hild’s CofE Voluntary Aided School. 30 students went on a journey of animated adventured delivered by Robin Webb, a local animation and film artist. The students got hands-on with top-notch equipment and software to produce some amazing stop motion animations. The students also found out more of what it’s like to study animation and similar courses in higher education and the exciting careers that it can take you to in the tv, film and gaming industry from one of Teesside’s own gaming lecturers.
How Science Saves Lives masterclass was the second masterclass to take place at the university in March with 40 students from schools Haughton Academy and Hurworth School. The students took part in a microbiology and pharmaceutical workshop to explore how bacteria presents a serious threat to health around the world and how science is used to overcome global challenges. The students used the state-of-the-art labs in the new BIOS building, toured other student facilities on campus like the library and students union, and asked some insightful questions about higher education during the student ambassador Q&A panel like how to choose the right course and what student accommodation is like.
The Darlington schools loved the science masterclass and were eager to return to campus for the Call the Midwife masterclass when it was announced later in the year. The final masterclass that took place at Teesside brought 24 students together to spend the day with practising midwives. The students got hands on in the state-of-the-art simulation spaces and had the fascinating opportunity to listen to foetal heartbeats. The academics at the university weren’t totally sure that the students would be up for examining placentas and changing a newborn nappy, but one student’s feedback was. . .
‘I enjoyed it and was happy I got to participate in the activity. It was interesting to see the work behind being a midwife and learnt lots of new things.’
While another stated. . .
‘Amazing course, would love to attend this university and take this course.’
The teachers were equally impressed and even asked for it to run again next year!
‘This was a much needed insight into this career. The masterclass was informative and hands on, which my pupils loved! Please do this again!’
The day ended with an insightful question and answer panel with current students and the academics, and every student went home happy with a midwifery themed goody bag.
There is a course for everyone in the North East! Look through the university and college websites here.
