Sun|trek - Reaching Out
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics
Abstract
The main aim of this proposal is capitalise on the recent work with Sun|trek, iSun|trek and Sun|trek Facebook, and to reach out to UK schools, to promote Sun|trek, in particular the Classroom Resources and Projects, as widely as possible. This will be achieved over a two year period by updates and improvements to the Sun|trek site (and related iSun|trek site) and by actively promoting Sun|trek, in particular the classroom resources and projects available for schools, more widely across the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and N. Ireland) and Ireland. The wider aim is to enhance the UK resources available to teachers, which can be used to enthuse students about solar astronomy and to encourage students to study the physical sciences at sixth form and beyond. Particular efforts will be made to target inner city schools (with diverse ethnic groups) for example in Birmingham, Leicester, Bedford, London and Slough. As an example, the recent inspirational video interviews with ethnic minority scientists by Benjamin Zephaniah were posted on Sun|trek facebook. In addition, as many females as possible are used as role models on Sun|trek (see solar guides). The legacy will be the provision of resources, but also the involvement of young solar researchers to continue their own outreach work.
Planned Impact
The Sun|trek website and classroom resources will be advertised widely in the UK and internationally via talks at teachers' conferences, visits to schools, talks to astronomy groups, NAM/RAS meetings, articles in popular and schools magazines, the press, and via the media. In addition, links and connections will be established via social communications networks and websites specifically dedicated to resources for schools (Schoolsscience, STEM resources, UKSA, ESA, ESERO etc). The network of STFC science communicators is important as a way of sharing ideas and best practice.
People |
ORCID iD |
Helen Mason (Principal Investigator) |
Description | The aim of the Sun|trek project and associated STFC grant is to contribute towards the enrichment of educational resources for UK schools. This has been achieved by informing teachers and students about the Sun and its influence on the Earth's environment, eg about Space Weather. Also highlighting solar research activities in the UK and Europe. In addition, to provide cross-curriculum ideas and resources which can be used by teachers in the classroom (both primary and secondary sectors). |
Exploitation Route | The Sun|trek project will be continued and extended further, eg linked to the UK Space Agency's activities relating to the flight of Tim Peake on the ISS (2015/2016). |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Education Energy Environment Culture Heritage Museums and Collections Other |
Description | The aim of this STFC SiS small award was to focus the reach of Sun|trek and associated resources towards UK schools, teachers and students. This has been successfully achieved by working directly with schools throughout the UK, engaging teachers at CPD days (ESERO, IoP, ASE etc), giving talks locally and nationally, media exposure (BBC TV and radio), running sessions at NAM to engage young researchers. In addition, full use has been made of social networking through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Sun|trek (www.suntrek.org) has been upgraded with new information, classroom projects, and links to the UK curriculum. Several new articles have been provided for iSun|trek. The Sun|trek classroom projects have been uploaded onto the UK STEM website, making them more accessible to UK teachers. Other members of the public have been reached through talks and prestigious lectures, including at the Ri, and by media exposure (BBC TV and radio). |
First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
Sector | Education,Energy,Environment,Other |
Impact Types | Cultural Societal |
Description | Associate Scientist on NASA's IRIS project |
Organisation | Harvard University |
Department | Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | This collaboration has resulted in several joint research papers. |
Collaborator Contribution | Joint research papers. |
Impact | Research papers |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | Collaboration with IUCAA, Pune |
Organisation | Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) |
Country | India |
Sector | Learned Society |
PI Contribution | Collaboration with Prof Durgesh Tripathi, IUCAA, Pune has resulted in several joint publications on active regions and solar jets. Helen Mason visited IUCAA in November 2014 and November 2015. Prof Tripathi visited Cambridge in July 2015. Helen Mason is working on a major outreach project with IUCAA SciPop called 'Surya: Here Comes the Sun'. Project resources for schools, teachers and students have been developed and delivered. |
Collaborator Contribution | Join research papers. Collaborative educational projects and resources. |
Impact | Workshops have been delivered to teachers and students in India. |
Start Year | 2014 |
Description | UK Space Agency |
Organisation | UK Space Agency |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Participation in UK Space Agengy Educational activities #Principia linked to Tim Peake's flight on the ISS. In particular, member of Space to Earth Challenge team, provided educational resources, visited many schools, gave CPD to teachers |
Collaborator Contribution | Providing networking opportunities, links to schools etc. |
Impact | Increased interaction with UK schools, teachers and students. Invitation to give talks. Higher profile nationally. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | 'Fire and Ice' after dinner talk at the ASE |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | After dinner talk at the Association of Science Educators (ASE) Annual meeting in Reading. Over 100 teachers were present. There was a discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
URL | https://www.ase.org.uk/news/ase-news/discovers-whats-on-at-annual-conference-2015/ |
Description | Engagement with Schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Have run many CPD sessions for teachers. They were informed about the Sun, solar research and resources which could be used in the classroom relating to Sun|trek. There has been an increased activity wrt Sun|trek classroom projects. Now hosted on the UK STEM website run by ESERO, the resources have been uniquely viewed by over 10,000 UK teachers (snce August 2013). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.suntrek.org |
Description | Friday Evening Discourse at the Royal Institution |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Ri Lectures are attended by around 200. The talk is also on the Ri video channel, and has been seen by over 150,000 people. Highlighting solar research activities in the UK. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |
URL | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbI6TDHCfe4 |
Description | Public Talks at Science Centers, Astronomy Societies, Institute of Physics regional meetings |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public talks have been given at Science Centres (INTECH, Cambridge), Universities (Cambridge, Oxford), Astronomy Societies (Dublin, Isle of Wight, Ely), IoP, RAL Talking Science. Discussion afterwards was animated. Follow on requests for further talks. There has been very good feedback from these talks, resulting in further invites. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
Description | Sun|trek |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The Sun|trek website reaches over 20,000 individuals per month internationally, with further impact from other communications media. In particular dedicated activities have been developed with UK schools and teachers, most recently 'Using Real Solar Data' and 'Collecting Solar Energy'. Now using social media also, facebook, twitter etc.. School students have engaged in science projects relating directly to Sun|trek and solar research. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.suntrek.org |
Description | Work with the media - BBC TV and Radio |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC4 - 2012 and repeated many times - Seven Ages of Starlight BBC2 - Science Britanica (with Brian Cox) BBC - national (BBC4 - Mid week, Saturday Live) and local radio BBC Yorkshire - Paul Hudson Weather Show BBC Radio Cambridge - 2016 - Music of my life Cam TV - 2016 - several interviews Enhanced public's awareness of solar research, links to Sun|trek on BBC website |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00yb434 |
Description | Working directly with UK schools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Visits have been made to on average 10 schools per year, to give talks and run workshops related to the Sun, Sun|trek and solar research. A variety of activities includes the production of an iBook, a media day on Space Weather, Exhibition of Sun/Art work by the students, Sun Literacy, Mission Xtreme. Recent engagement has been with Tim Peake's mission on the ISS. Collaboration on a UK Space Agency website: Space2earth Challenge, and many visits to schools. Exciting, new and diverse methods were used with these projects, which the students enjoyed very much, and learnt a lot from. The ideas and content are being developed and shared with teachers throughout the UK. Requests for me to visit schools and engage with the students have increased, with very good feedback from teachers and students at the schools I have worked with. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016 |
URL | http://www.mediaspaceuk.co.uk |