DEMISTYFYING robotics to Nailsea schoolchildren was the challenge faced by university students at an event held in Bristol.

Six groups of students from the University of Bristol and the University of West of England presented their prototypes to technology companies including the BBC, IBM, HP and Microsoft, during the event, at the city’s harbourside venue, the Watershed.

Nailsea School pupils helped the students by acting as stakeholders for their novel products, aimed at ‘exciting and teaching a new generation about robotic concepts’.

Project leader Dr Kirsten Cater, lecturer in the department of computer science at the University of Bristol, said: “Robotics encompasses multiple disciplines, including mechanical engineering, software programming, electronics, and human psychology.

“It’s is a great field to get children interested in because there are so many options for further study and exploration.”

Nailsea School head teacher David New said: “This is the third project on which the school has been able to collaborate with University of Bristol’s department of computer science.

“As a technology and media college, it is fitting that our students should be involved at the cutting edge of technological developments.

“It is an exceptional opportunity that we can offer our students because of this link.

“I know that the students involved have benefitted greatly from their experience and look forward to future collaborations.”