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September 2015
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Computer Networking and Telecommunications Research

National Science and Engineering Week 2008

Family Telecommunications Day and Schools' events

National Science and Engineering Week 2008 (7-16 March) provides an opportunity for people of all ages, areas and organisations to take part in science, engineering and technology activities.

We are pleased to be offering two events celebrating how engineering has transformed the way we communicate and provided today’s mobile phones, digital television and the Internet. 

Family Telecommunications Day

In January 1878 the Manchester Weekly Times reported that Mr Thomas Hudson, hardware merchant of Shudehill, was the first firm to receive the full equipment of Bell’s telephone linking its general offices in Dantzic Street with his hardware and hardware and furnishing establishment in Shudehill.  The equipment was installed by Messrs David Moseley and Sons.

To celebrate 130 years of the telephone in Manchester we are offering a Family Telecommunications Day at the Museum of Science and Industry on Saturday 8th March and Sunday 9th March 2008.  Our event allows you to see how telecommunications technology has evolved through the ages, to experience sending messages using different forms of technology and to learn a little more about the engineering that makes it all possible.  This event runs from 10:00am to 4:00pm both days and is free.  We are also pleased that this event is supported by BT, SETPOINT, MoSI, BBC, IET and BCS.  Find out more in the Family Telecoms Day section.

Schools’ Event

In 1858 (150 years ago) the first trans-Atlantic telegraph cable became operational.   Today our world is interconnected by a myriad of telecommunications links that provide the infrastructure over which we communicate and through which modern websites such as YouTube, Second Life, and MySpace enable new ways of social interaction.    This event which is aimed at years 11 and 12 (GCSE) provides a short lecture that starts by showing how the trans-Atlantic telegraph cable was manufactured, laid and operated and goes on to look at telecommunications lies at the heart of the Internet, digital television, mobile phones and the world wide web.  The lecture will be followed by a series of supervised hands-on experiments in which students can learn more about the science and engineering that underpins all forms of telecommunications.

This event will run twice during Tuesday 11th March 2008 (10:00 to 12:00 and 1:00pm to 3:00pm) at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and requires pre-booking.

To book a place for your school group please contact SETPOIINT, Greater Manchester on 0161 295 2602 or stemsalford@aol.com

A downloadable teachers' pack will be available on the schools and colleges activity page.