The project involves two students working with a BBC mentor to design a prototype site aimed at engaging children aged between six and twelve years old with this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Final year Multimedia technology and design students Rebecca Bull and Francesca Haselden have designed the site from scratch, including creating interactive games, quizzes and a login system designed specifically with child safety in mind.
During the site’s research phase the students also visited Blean Primary School in Canterbury to ask local school children to test their designs and to tell them what they liked and disliked about them. The feedback will be used to inform the final prototype which will be showcased to BBC bosses next month.
The project is part of an annual mentoring scheme for female engineering and digital technology students, which involves two female Kent students working with a senior female mentor at the BBC. The scheme also gives students the opportunity to spend time at the BBC’s headquarters in Salford.
Ania Bobrowicz, Senior Lecturer in Multimedia Technology and Design, and Jane Milton, Lecturer in Film and Production, from EDA supervised the students during the project.
Ms Bobrowicz said: ‘This particular project has been a great way of demonstrating how female students can excel in the digital industry and has had a really positive impact on those taking part. They have not only been able to learn from a successful role model at the BBC, but they have been able to get the experience they need to help them with employment opportunities.’
The mentoring scheme is funded by the University’s Student Project Fund, a dedicated fund which provides opportunities for students to develop their personal and professional skills. More information about the Student Project Fund can be found here.