Innovation in action
Flight simulators
Aircraft engineering students at Kingston have the chance to take control of a Boeing 747 simulated flight deck. The simulator, which used to belong to British Airways, is at the School of Engineering's Roehampton Vale campus.
“It gives students the opportunity to practice any ground maintenance function from an engine start to an autopilot test,” explained lecturer Philip Smith. “We are even able to introduce defects to the aircraft system and ask them to locate and solve the problems.”
Solving crimes
We have our own 'scene of crime' house so our forensic science students can put their investigation skills to the test.
We use the house to recreate crime scenes. Students get involved in every aspect of investigating a crime scene, including:
- searching for footprints and fingerprints;
- looking for DNA samples and suspicious substances such as narcotics;
- analysing any samples found; and
- being called as an expert witness in a mock court case.
Legal clinics
Our law students have the chance to work in a real legal clinic. Under the guidance of a tutor, they:
- work in pairs to take a brief from a client;
- research the problem; and
- provide appropriate advice by letter.
Problems can range from tenancy disputes to human rights abuses.
Space weightlessness
Four Kingston students discovered what it was like to float in zero gravity after securing a place aboard a special European Space Agency jet to test a solar kite.
They found out how it felt to work in space as the plane climbed and dived in a series of moves that released the Earth's gravitational pull.
“Watching the solar kite float and unfurl itself for the first time in near perfect conditions was amazing,” said group leader Claire Etherington. “We collected some really valuable data and discovered how we could make it perform even better.”