The Bigger Bang! Show and An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table

Lead Research Organisation: University of Brighton
Department Name: Sch of Pharmacy & Biomolecular Sciences

Abstract

The Bigger Bang! Show and An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table are two established chemistry evangelism events aimed at the public. The Bigger Bang! Show is normally carried out in a large theatre and involves a series of high end exhibition chemistry demonstrations carried out in a humourous but educational manner and is aimed primarily at families and schools. The event is presented by Dr Hal Sosabowski and co-presenter, the Doc, from ITV's Ministry of Mayhem. The Bigger Bang! Show involves a high level of audience participation and interaction and offers a unique blend of high-end, spectacular exhibition science and entertainment, underpinned with long-halflife, takeaway science knowledge and educational discourse (with a small element of Laurel-and Hardy-esque buffoonery). An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table is an in-depth focused chemistry show delivered by the PA and Dr Max Whitby of RGB Research Ltd. This event is aimed at the science community and public; featuring each of the elements of the periodic table from 1-90 in an elegant experiment of its own. The show alternates between elements 1-30, 31-60 and 61-90, so there are three variants, with the host venue choosing which of the variants it wants presented. This application is for a ten date (twenty-show; two per date) tour of The Bigger Bang! Show and in parallel, a ten-show tour of An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table, both tours being over a period of two years. For each show (of both tours), there will be an interactive periodic table foyer display. The Bigger Bang! Shows will be held at theatres across the South East with seating capacities of up to 2,000 (similar to the Brighton Dome), and there will be two shows per venue on the same day, a matine aimed primarily at schools and an evening show aimed at families/the public. The Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table shows will be held at Universities and given to audiences of up to 500, with a target audience of families. There will be one show per venue. Both these tours will be of the South of England and the cities and venues have been identified and costed indicatively as; for the The Bigger Bang! Show tour: Brighton (Brighton Dome), Poole (Poole Lighthouse Theatre), London, Redhill (Redhill Harlequin), Maidstone, Taunton, Oxford, Cambridge, Swindon, Andover. For the Elemental Spectacle: A. A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table tour the indicative venues are: the University of Brighton, Imperial College University of London, University of Southampton, Cardiff University, University of Kent, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Surrey, University College Hastings and University of Essex. Before and after each show there will be an interactive periodic table displaying the foyer of each of the venues, provided by one of the project sub-Contractors RGB Research Ltd. RGB will create the traveling exhibition featuring a number of its spectacular periodic table displays featuring real element samples that can be set up at the venues of all twenty lectures to entertain and engage the audience both before and after the live shows. These displays have a proven record of drawing a high level of interest and attracting audience engagement. These exhibits will include several interactive stations where members of the audience can explore the periodic table and investigate particular elements. This component will provide a means to extend the educational impact of the shows, particularly for those among the audience motivated by the live performance.

Publications

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M H Sosabowski (2011) Backyard Chemistry: The Science of Space Dust in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2009) Backyard Chemistry: Separating the Colours of Sweets by Chromatography in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: Making Snow from Nappies in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: How to Freeze Soda Instantly in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2013) Two Curriculum-Relevant/Open-Day Physics Experiments on Gravity in School Science Review

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M H Sosabowski (2011) Backyard Chemistry: The Chemistry of Your Breakfast in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2009) Backyard Chemistry: - Non Newtonian Liquids in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: Measuring the Speed of Light in Your Kitchen in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: Modelling with Milk in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2013) Enhancing Live Practical demonstrations by Using Engagement Devices in School Science Review

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M H Sosabowski (2011) Backyard Chemistry: The Power of Atmospheric Pressure in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2011) Backyard Chemistry: Making Rainbows in Milk in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: The Change in Your Pocket in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2009) Backyard Chemistry: From Sherbet to Popping Sandwich Bags in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: Hot and Cold Glowsticks in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2008) Backyard Chemistry: Lemonade and Mentos: Henry's Law and Boyle's Law in Edducation in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2009) Backyard Chemistry: Layered liquids in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2011) Backyard Chemistry: Restoring the Family Silver in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2009) Backyard Chemistry: The Science of Soap Bubbles in Education in Chemistry

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M H Sosabowski (2010) Backyard Chemistry: A DIY pH indicator from Red Cabbage in Education in Chemistry

 
Description There is no substitute for live science with which to get across learning outcomes for pupils and the public. using humour and witty underscore extends the half life of the knowledge. Even grizzled and seasoned MPs can be shocked and awed by spectacular live science.
Exploitation Route In our articles we outline fully the very successful approach we developed,
Sectors Chemicals

Creative Economy

Education

Energy

Other

 
Description Many schools ask us for annual shows which show the impact of the initial shows funded by the project. I am frequently asked to appear on TV or consult for TV companies about high end chemistry.
First Year Of Impact 2000
Sector Chemicals,Creative Economy,Education,Other
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

Policy & public services

 
Description 2 x science shows carried out within the House of Commons 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact In 2011 we performed at the Parliamentary opening of the International Year of Chemistry. This involves us carrying out a high-end science show within the House of Commons to MP's and the Rt Hon David Willets MP Minister for Science and Universities.

the second visit was in April 2014 when we were hosted by Valerie Vaz MP and carried out a science show within the House of Commons during a debate concerning science funding in the UK.

MPs saw high end exhibition science at first hand.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2011,2014
URL http://www.reagent.co.uk/blog/chemistry-at-the-houses-of-parliament/
 
Description Bigger Bang Live Science Shows 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Each of the hundred or so live science shows we did reached audiences between 50 to 5,000. The shows were based around high end science demonstrations with comedy and and underscore of science discourse and learning outcomes. No demonstration was doen for its own sake, every demonstration had one or more learning outcomes. The larger of the shows were linked to topical films or events:
The Bigger Bang! Show
The Even Bigger Bang! Show

Some more focused shows on the periodic table were named thus:
Don't Try This at Home: A Guided Tour of the Periodic Table
An Elemental Spectacle: A Guided Tour of the Darker Reaches of the Periodic Table,
An Explosive Odyssey! Journey to the Centre of the Periodic Table.
Braving the Elements: Voyage to the Bottom of the Periodic Table.

Bigger Bang III: A Fistful of Test tubes
Bigger Bang IV: A Science Oddity
Bigger Bang V: Hal & Doc's Dirty Bomb
Bigger Bang VI: A Science Phenomenon
Bigger Bang VII: The Science Strikes Back
Bigger Bang VIII: Scientists of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Test Tubes


We received many requests to visit schools, trade fairs and have worked on several television programmes.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013
URL http://www.drhal.co.uk