What you can do on LiveWires

There are loads of different activities on LiveWires - some multimedia projects (with music and video), some computing projects (programming and graphics), and a wide range of electronics projects (soldering resistors and chips etc.). Different activities take different lengths of time: they are listed below as being Longer (about two thirds the length of the holiday) or Shorter (about a third of the holiday's length). You'll have time to do one Longer activity and one Shorter one, or three Shorter ones (depending on your experience and your other choices).

We try very hard to give you the activities you ask for, but please bear in mind that we don't have an infinite supply of the specialist equipment or team these activities need …

We'll ask you to choose five activities in preference order nearer the start of the holiday.

Each project has a short code in a box next to it (for example, B for Programming for Beginners) - this is for the questionnaire which you'll be sent if you decide to come on the holiday.

As we mentioned in the SU Holidays Brochure, electronics projects cost extra. So, if you choose an electronics project (the codes for these all start with an 'E'), we'll ask you to pay for it when you arrive at LiveWires; the approximate costs are shown (they may vary slightly, but not much). Underneath each electronics project you'll also find two difficulty ratings: one for the electrical work (soldering and wiring) and one for mechanical building (PCB, drilling, filing, nuts and bolts etc.) They're both scores out of 10 (where 1 is easiest).

In all our activities, you can take away the finished product to impress your friends afterwards: for programming and music groups, this'll be on a CD, and for video and graphics, a DVD.

These activities last for approximately two thirds of the holiday.

V Video Production
You'll be making a video, from the initial ideas, through scripting and filming, and digital editing to create a finished product for the DVD. No experience needed.

ER Infra-red remote control
Infra-red switch enables you to turn on or off a mains appliance, lights, TV, radio, or just about anything else, using a small hand-held control unit. (£27) [electrical 8, mechanical 8 - this is a more challenging project.]

EB Bike alarm
A very loud deterrent, with vibration and tilt sensors, a key switch, and optional tamper alarm. (£20.00) [electrical 6, mechanical 5]

EW Clap switch
Just by clapping your hands or whistling, you can turn on or off your bedside lamp, or anything else that doesn't make too much noise! (£28) [electrical 8, mechanical 7]

EV Voice modulator
Shift the pitch of your voice up or down, or even add vibrato. (£26.00) [electrical 8, mechanical 8]

EG Guitar headphone amp
Rock in the comfort of your own headphones with this battery powered box. It's a DI box too, so you can plug into a mixer if you want everyone to hear. (£36) [electrical 6, mechanical 7]

D Advanced Web Development
You'll be able to work in a group to use more advanced web technologies such as PHP, SQL and CSS. Some experience of programming and HTML is useful for this activity.

The Beginners' and Games programming activities are usually done in pairs, using a language called Python. Python is free (as are some of the other programs we use) so we can give you a copy to take home after the holiday.

B Programming for Beginners
If you've never programmed a computer before - this is your chance to learn! We'll guide you through the first steps of programming. This is usually done in pairs, using the popular free programming language Python.

G Games Programming
It could be a strategy game, an exciting shoot-'em-up, or something entirely different. You will need to have done the beginners course, or have some previous experience of Python, for this activity. Games is usually done in pairs.

W Web Programming
Want to create a website? Fancy adding some simple forms for people to interact with? Or to learn more about other web technologies such as Cascading Style Sheets? Learn how to create a website from scratch using HTML. If you've never created a website before, but want to learn how, Web programming's definitely your place.

R Music Recording
Learn how to create musical masterpieces using a combination of computer sequencing, live recording of instruments and singers, and special effects, all in our fully-equipped studio. Take away the resulting tracks on your own CD! Composers, musicians, singers, and studio engineers are all required - but no experience needed.

H Computer Graphics
Computer generated three-dimensional scenes? With some animation? Fractals? You don't need any programming experience; we have programs that will do most of the hard work for you.

EP Parrot
This little creature repeats your words… but in it's own voice! Complete with microphone, loudspeaker and case (or you can add your own case). (£16.00) [electrical 6, mechanical 4]

EL Light beam alarm
Contained in a small, easily concealed box. When an intruder passes by, it emits a piercing whistle, letting you know they're there. (£7.50) [electrical 5, mechanical 4]

EN Scrolling message display
Display your name in lights! Using the on board buttons you can program this device to display a scrolling text string on its 7×5 LED matrix. This project uses a readymade circuit board making it ideal if you're new to electronics. (£17.50) [electrical 3, no mechanical work]

EK Scrolling clock
Displays the current date and time in lights as scrolling text string on its 7×5 LED matrix. This project uses a ready-made circuit board. (£15.00) [electrical 3, no mechanical work]

ET Light Bug
This little critter is looking for the light! Driven by two miniature motors it can direct itself to where it detects the most light. This project uses a ready made circuit board making it ideal if you're new to electronics. (£17.50) [electrical 3, mechanical 1]

A Stop Motion Animation
Ever wanted to make your own stop motion animation? Create your own short video using this popular animation technique. No experience or acting required, but you'll create the video from ideas and scripting through to finishing ready for the DVD.

O DVD Production
Fancy creating the Holiday DVD complete with the videos, animations and graphics stills? Learn what is involved in putting together and producing a DVD, then take it home to show your friends.