Dr Gail Cardew, the Royal Institution's Director of Science and Education, presents the charity's work in supporting the future of the technology industry through a national programme of Masterclasses that focus on inspiring the next generation of computer scientists. This presentation was delivered at the BASDA 2015 annual summit on 2 June 2015. The Royal Institution Computer Science Masterclasses are supported by Causeway Technologies. Find out more at http://www.rigb.org/education/masterclasses.

1. Nurturing tomorrow’s
talent pool: The
Computer Science
Masterclasses
Dr Gail Cardew
Director of Science
and Education
The Royal Institution
Image credit: Tim Mitchell

2. The Royal Institution
Our Mission
‘To encourage people to think more
deeply about the wonders and
applications of science’

3. The Masterclasses Programme
• Engages the most talented
Year 9 students in
Mathematics, Engineering
and Computer Science
• Hands-on experience of
subjects led by experts
• Presents challenges beyond
the curriculum
Image credit: Tim Mitchell

4. The role of the Computer Science
• Tech sector recruitment
reaching record levels in
2015
KPMG Tech Monitor Q1 2015
• 72% of large firms reporting
tech skills shortages in
workforce
Tech Partnership Employer Insights Survey, May 2015
• Concern shared with
Causeway Technologies
Image credit: Tim Mitchell
Masterclasses

5. • Computer Science
Masterclasses identify
students with raw talent
early and focus their
attention on CS
• Demonstrate that a career in
computer science can follow
many paths
Image credit: Tim Mitchell
The role of the Computer Science
Masterclasses

6. Four series completed since
January 2015
Collaborations with UCL and
University of Birmingham as
well as secondary schools
Speakers from Thales, Episteme
Capital Partners, Selex, Boston
Consulting Group, Imperial
College, University of
Manchester and many more
Computer Science Network
Image credit: The Royal Institution
The year so far

7. Impact of Masterclasses
Example student feedback from 2014/15 series
Aspiration/career
“I would like a career in computer
science now”, “It has shown me a future
career path”, “I will most likely pursue a
career in computer science”
Motivation/learning
“I feel more motivated to study
computer science”, “Computer science is
everywhere and I want to study it”, It
has made me understand it more and I
feel I want to continue with it”
Insight into computer science
“It is challenging but rewarding”, “Very
mathematical with many mysteries, it is
everywhere”, “That it is limitless”, ”More
than just computers”
Image credit: UCL

8. With thanks to Causeway Technologies
for their generous support