Activities
Among the bespoke activities being offered on the day from 10am are:
Stop and Search
On a dark evening Jonny Richards was stopped by police and asked to empty out his pockets. Now he is charged with going equipped for burglary. But is he guilty? You decide. Our 20 minute reconstruction of a magistrates’ court case gives an insight into the workings of the legal system.
Magistrates Information
Magistrates deal with 95% of all crime that comes through the courts – only the most serious 5% go to the Crown Court. There are about 150 magistrates working in Milton Keynes.
Come and meet some of them in the Michael Young building, and learn more about what they do.
Facial recognition
If you see a crime being committed how faithfully could you reproduce their facial likeness of the perpetrator working with police identikit experts? Our own OU cognitive recognition expert challenges you.
Calling Alumni
If you've already studied with the OU come and visit the alumni stand, collect your pin badge and find out more about how to stay in touch!
Meadowland Diversity
Meadows are special places, so come to see the OU’s own bit of ancient meadow land. The University also hosts a national project aimed at understanding and conserving British meadows. You can meet some of the project staff and take part in a bit of survey and interpretation yourself.
The Open University Business School – past, present and possibly your future?
Come and visit the presentation area at the top of The Business School and see what we can do for you. Listen to our alumni telling you about what our MBA has done for them, and pick up information about your first steps towards an MBA. Unlike any other business school, you don’t need prior qualifications.
The Business School was asked to host an academic debate for the recent Global G20 Summit in London, about the causes and possible cures for the global recession. Listen to the videos from our academics and an introduction from David Milliband, to give you a flavour of what our business approach can achieve. These can be seen in the Common Room on the first floor of the Business School.
OU Worldwide
The Open University collaborates with organisations all over the globe to deliver high quality education. These partnerships are set up and managed by OU Worldwide, the University’s international division. Open University Worldwide is the focal point for the Open University's expertise in delivering learning in any international context.
Seaside or C-side
British culture gets a showcase as we look at how the traditional picture postcard seaside resorts have developed and why. The combination of bucket and spade, windbreak and a walk along the pier help to define something unique to UK shores. This look at art and its influence on our heritage and culture extends to Glastonbury. Explore why one small town has become such a magnet for those seeking both spiritual enlightenment and a muddy music fest.
Shaping tomorrow
The Open University’s amazing history in sound and images. PLUS the development of the students’ association.
A library – virtually
Six myths de-bunked about library life and services. Explore some of the exciting ways that Library Services can stimulate learning and teaching. Discover how technology is changing how we interact with each other. Watch out for the appearance of a mysterious monk seeking enlightenment…
Study stop One!
Ask here about the courses that intrigue you. There’s no better place to view the materials that form part of a study programme.
Second Life (Teenagers)
A brief introduction to Second Life, the online 3D virtual world where you'll discover a fast-growing digital place filled with people, entertainment, experiences and opportunity.
I-trail
The start of a treasure trail that uses simple text message responses to navigate around campus. Ideal for those aged 11 to 15 with their own mobile phones.
The Magic of Oxygen
The wonders of hydrogen peroxide and its clever properties are explored as part of this intriguing demonstration of clever chemicals. The Magic of Oxygen – a show staring a little brown tea-pot and its very own genie – will take visitors on a journey of exploration that includes rockets, a tea bag and a very slow beetle. It’s all in the molecules.
Evolution of Mammals
Follow the ‘evolutionary tree’ with model mammals. See how different mammals skulls work and play spot the difference between DNA strands
Space
Visit the Open University’s onsite observatory and see our telescope, find out about PIRATE the remote operated one in Majorca and make & take a telescope (8 – 12 year olds).
Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream
Come and taste our hand made liquid nitrogen ice cream. Watch the ice cream being made and learn how the liquid nitrogen is used in cooking, not something you can try at home!
One in Four
There’s a chance to win a prize in this 25 minute quiz show that challenges your ideas about the Open University and uses push button technology to see who plays fastest and who answers correctly. PRIZES!
Study stop Two!
Already a student? Here’s the place to check on assignments, fees, exams etc
Sustainability
We will have a presentation detailing our successes and future initiatives, some give away goodies and some samples of what we now recycle. We will also have updates on our latest trials, waterless urinals!
Spot Nature in Your Neighbourhood
Come and do your own ‘spotting’ and we will show you how easy it is to find and learn more about the variety of life lurking in green spaces around you!
Participate in this fun learning experience, take a look at the latest spots, start your own album of observations and get help identifying what you have seen.
Electron Microscopes
Limited space on the hourly tours from 11am – 4pm to view these amazing pieces of equipment. Please meet at Information point 4.
The Digital Age
The Old Lecture Theatre will be home for the day to an exhibition based around the forthcoming BBC 4 programme Electric Dreams, a three-part series charting the rise of today’s globally-linked, instantly-gratified digital culture.
Remember life before facebook and ipods? Take the opportunity to familiarise yourself with technologies of the bygone age before they are seen on TV.
The Concept Zone
Find out more about the Open University’s mission statement of being open to People, Places, Methods and Ideas.
Displays include:
Devolve Me
Ready to journey back in time? Use our fun tool to see yourself as you would have looked as an early human. Upload your photo and see yourself travel back through the evolutionary timeline... it's not an exact science but it is a lot of fun!
Digital Audio Project
Learn about a programme to create digital talking books from OU course material for students with disabilities.
Knowledge Media Institute
Find out more about the OU’s Knowledge Media Institute (KMi) its work in designing technologies to enable disabled students to participate in field research and enabling OU downloads from iTunes (iTunes U) and many more innovative projects.
Kitchen Konundrum
Race against the clock rearranging the magnetic letters to find the ‘hidden’ words. (You can practice in advance at www.open.ac.uk/platform/timeout/games/can-you-become-konundrum-king)
Health & Social Care
Did you know that since 1997 over 3000 people have qualified as social workers with the OU. Find out how YOU could qualify as a social worker or a nurse with the Open University.
Sport & Fitness
Find out how the OU could enable you to study for a sport and fitness qualification at a distance
What the OU means to me
We have been asking staff, students & tutors to share what the OU means to them in 10 words or less. If you would like us to include your views please email anniversary@open.ac.uk or visit http://www.open.ac.uk/platform/news/ou-news/share-your-ou-experiences with your comments.
Microclimates
Find the best place to eat your ice-cream using environmental sensors. See how heat coming from different surfaces can create a cosy microclimate. Pinpoint areas where wind-tunnel effects would make ice-cream eating an uncomfortable experience
Collaborative Colour Mixing
All sorts of things are being connected to computers. Come and see an interactive table in action and take part in a group demo in which the table is used to mix colours.
How Green Are You?
What’s your carbon footprint like? Join Robin Roy from the MCT Faculty who will assess your carbon footprint using a computer.
Don’t Take the Lift
Come and have a look at a demonstration by the Ambient Computing Group within the MCT Faculty who will demonstrate how computers can make you fitter by persuading you to take the stairs rather than the lift.
Wander Around our Virtual Campus
In October the MCT Faculty will launch its virtual campus. It uses the virtual world Second Life to simulate a real university campus. Come and experience the campus.
Connect to the Drums
The Music Computing group in the MCT Faculty will be demonstrating a haptic drum kit. This enables a drummer to feel the music. So come and feel the music!
Motion Capture and Violin Playing
The Music Computing group will be demonstrating how you can use motion capture technologies to teach proper violin playing techniques.
Mathematical Puzzles
Are you puzzled by mathematics? If so try some puzzles, you may lose your puzzlement-or something.
Teaching by phone
The MCT faculty is always on the look out for new ways of teaching . Join Richard Seaton as he demonstrates how you can teach at a distance using a mobile phone.
Garden Fayre
Make & Take (for children under 12)
Interactive craft activities that include all things sticky and fun.
Big Art
An exciting feature this year is Big Art – Children will be able to decorate our fabulous large 3D OU letters throughout the day, which in turn will become a permanent fixture on site after the event.