Mission to Mars: a one-week introductory project for new physics students

A new event to help smooth the induction of year 1 students to university was run in the Physics Department on a trial basis in the academic year 2009/10 and extended in 2010/11.The event took place in the first week of term with the aim of introducing the students to the Department and the level of engagement expected of them. After some ice-breakers and simple problem-solving an open-ended physics problem on a topical issue was presented to the students who were organised to work in groups.