Welcome to UCL Expand: Technologies & the Physical World! We're looking forward to getting started.
Llŷr Gwynedd is our first ever Taster Presenter for UCL Expand: Technologies & the Physical World, and we're really looking forward to showing you what he has in store!
Llŷr completed an integrated Master’s in Chemistry, before going onto teach Science in a secondary school in Wales. Now, Llŷr is a PhD student at the UCL Electrochemical Innovation Lab, and is excited to use his previous teaching experience and study, and his current area of research, to create an exciting programme for all Technologies & the Physical World participants.
Fuel Cells: The Future of Hydrogen Energy
The title of the UCL Expand Technologies & the Physical World programme is Fuel Cells: The Future of Hydrogen Energy.
You're going to be looking to answer questions such as:
- How is hydrogen generated? How can hydrogen be stored?
- What exactly are fuel cells and how do they work?
- What problems do scientists and engineers face with fuel cells, and what are they doing to try and overcome these? How fuel cells work?
- Why are fuel cells important?
- What skills am I going to develop?
UCL Expand is structured and designed in a way that will allow participants to develop a range of essential and key skills that will not only enhance your application to higher education, but also support you in the transition to university. The skills which you will develop will be invaluable when you enter university.
Following the Research and Analysis session, you will leave with an understanding of how to investigate a topic, how to distinguish between reputable and un-reputable sources of information, and the ability to examine the implications of their research.
Following the Critical Thinking session, you will leave with an understanding of how to analyse sources to form a judgement, the ability to challenge your own assumptions and take multiple perspectives on an issue, and awareness of the difference between a fact and an opinion.
Following the Academic Writing session, you will leave with an understanding of the formality, objectivity and precision required to write academically. You will also learn how to communicate your project work in an academic capacity, and how to form conclusions.
Following the Presentation and Debate session, you will leave with an understanding of delivering a clear and persuasive argument, creating a clear presentation structure and the ability to listen to and answer questions. This session will directly contribute to the presentation of your project during the in-person Graduation event on March 27th.
For a reminder of when the sessions are taking place, check the UCL Expand homepage.
- Your Final Project
Llŷr will be introducing you to the final project at our Welcome Event.
The final project is your chance to use the academic skills which you're developing throughout the programme, combined with knowledge and inspiration from the subject content, to create something that is unique to your own passions and interests: you'll have the freedom to put your own spin on it according to what you'd most like to explore further.