A unique cooperation between University College Cork (UCC) and the Department of Electronic Engineering in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is entering its fourth year as 43 Postgraduate Diploma in Education student teachers have just completed a six week introductory course to electronics. The training programme is based on the 'Exploring Electronics' Transition Year module developed at CIT with significant backing from the industry and is aimed at de-mystifying electronics in the Second Level classroom.

It introduces the theory and practice of Electronics Circuit design through soldering and use of a computer simulation tool. The module includes links with the Junior Certificate Science Curriculum and aims to provide a useful resource that will support teachers who want to introduce their students to electronics in a very practical way.

The venture is backed by the Electronics and Microelectronics industry locally and nationally and in particular by Xilinx, the Cork Electronics Industry Association and MIDAS Ireland. Jerry Fitzpatrick, Chairperson of the CEIA Skills Group says: "We are delighted to support this initiative. Teachers play a key inspirational role in the lives of their students and ensuring that they have an entusiasm for electronics is one of the most effective means of encouraging students to opt for electronic engineering courses at third level."

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