Session 24: Ready, SET, Go! -enhancing the student experience with extracurricular activities

Abstract

Session overview: The Software Engineering Team (SET) was formed with 4 student members with support from the Academics on the SE programme. The aim of the initiative was to provide extracurricular activities for students to foster a sense of programme-wide community and belonging. The team was founded in Sept 2024, to provide structured opportunities for a broad range of software projects with a mix of self-managed work and teamwork. The initiative proved a great success and has been strengthened and expanded to include new level 4 students this year. The ultimate goal is to establish a student led project based collective to enhance student learning, cohesiveness, resulting in improved team working and employability skills. During this time the team has produced several measurable outcomes: including supporting demonstrations at open and applicant days, student mentoring, exhibiting at Liverpool’s Makefest 2024. The team have also supported research within the school and at a cross-faculty level in development of prototype systems. Additionally, early signs are that this has positively impacted employability – participating students now have a significant portfolio of engineering work to support applications and interview. Anecdotally, placement employers have fed back positively on the breadth and depth of student’s skills and experience. This session will showcase the projects and progress of the SE team and discuss challenges and approaches for expanding extra-curricular teams in other areas within the university. Key learning points from this session: Take transferable ideas that can be applied in their own subject areas for extra-curricular projects that can enhance their students' sense of belonging, skills development and employability skills. Opportunities for other subject areas to engage in potential projects with the team. Ready, SET, Go! -enhancing the student experience with extracurricular activities PowerPoint. Only LJMU staff and students have access to this resource.