BTEC students from the Business & IT Faculty have recently participated in an international project funded by the EU under the ERASMUS+ programme. The project aims to develop innovative methods for teaching Data Analytics within schools and colleges throughout the EU and is led by Exeter University.

The students analysed data supplied by the Met Office and Exeter City Council to investigate the relationship between weather and pollution within the city. One of the challenges was the quantity of data the students had to work with – 3 years of weather and pollution data collected hourly from 2015 to 2017 – a total of 26,000 records.

The results of their work were presented at the 2nd International Partner Meeting in Lleida, Spain in January this year. The next phase of the project will see further groups of students participating in the 2nd pilot starting late February. Following the completion of the pilots in June, staff from the college will participate in the development of a Data Analytics toolkit which, it is planned, will form the basis for future teaching of Data Analytics throughout schools and colleges in the EU.

Programme Leader for HNC and HND in Computing, Stephen Coaker, said:

Working on the SPIDAS project has helped students to appreciate the application of data analytics to real world issues. By working with weather and pollution data for the city they have learned how to analyse large quantities of data, to draw conclusions and to collaborate with others. These are skills that will serve them well in their future careers.”

Student, James Powell, added:

It was really interesting taking a look at statistical data on Exeter pollution. Furthermore, using new software such as CODAP really improved my interest in statistics.”

Find out more about our HNC and HND courses here.

Why not come along to the Exeter College EXPO on Thursday 21st March to speak to someone face to face about studying with us? You can register here.