Good Reaction to REaCTOR Project

Doncaster College hosted an event at the Hub’s Waterfront Restaurant to celebrate the successful completion of its REaCTOR project.

The project, named the Renewable, Environmental and Construction Technology Open Resources project and developed by the FusedWorks team at Doncaster College, was a year in the making and funded by JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) who champion the use of digital technology to ensure the UK remains world-class in research, teaching and learning, and the Higher Education Academy at the University Centre Doncaster.

The overall aim of the project was to create a set of 3d teaching and learning resources for use by built environment lecturers and students in both higher and further education. The resources demonstrate these complex technologies whilst in a safe, virtual setting. They also reveal the mechanics of how they work and demonstrate their impact on the environment.

The REaCTOR Project has 8 different resources that focus on renewable technologies. They are Solar Photovoltaic, Solar thermal, ground and air source heat pumps, biomass, Rainwater harvesting, wind power, greywater use and technology comparison.

A new website http://reactor.fusedworks.com has been launched where these teaching and business aids are free to download.

FusedWorks also produced a survey to extract feedback about the project and a competition, with prizes, was launched and aimed at the business and education sectors.

Two lucky winners, Emma Simpson and Matt Diggle, representing the business and education sectors respectively, were invited to the event along with staff, students, external organisations and funding bodies and were treated to canapés and a hot buffet produced and served by students from the College’s Hospitality and Catering Department.

After a presentation on the project by the REaCTOR team, Emma and Matt received an Apple ipad 3 each, from George Trow, Principal and Chief Executive of Doncaster College.

Emma, 33, is graphic designer from Lindholme, near Doncaster, and works for Trador Marketing in Armthorpe and Matt is a lecturer in environmental technologies at Leeds College of Building.