Sun|trek : Here Comes the Sun
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Department Name: Applied Maths and Theoretical Physics
Abstract
The 'Sun|trek: Here Comes the Sun' project will capitalise on the diverse range of HEM's current activities to develop a lasting legacy of her work with schools. The project will be carried out in partnership with Heather MacRae (Ideas Foundation, Venture Thinking, Multi-Media Space, MissionX, Space2Earth Project), who will provide networking opportunities in the educational and creative arts sectors.
The main aim is to develop and deliver a set of five focussed resources about the Sun for the younger age group, mainly primary KS2, but also KS3. This is a key age for exciting an interest in science and harnessing the children's imagination through cross-curriculum activities. The project would aim, in particular, to link science with the arts (STEAM) to help children appreciate how the Sun, and space observations contribute to a better understanding of our place in the universe. This project will go beyond the visible and explore what we can detect at other wavelengths (eg infrared, radio, UV, X-rays) and the concept of false colour images will be explored, with the opportunity to inspire abstract art. There will be a natural bias towards the Sun and its interaction with the Earth, but other areas of astronomy and space science will be included. The resources will explore the work of a some relevant scientists (eg Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Herschel, Fr Secchi, Annie Maunder) and also present some contemporary role models from the solar physics community, in particular females. Consultant artists and teachers will be engaged to work on this project.
The five solar themes identified are:
a) Colours of light (Sun's radiation, Galileo, sunspots, Annie Maunder, Newton, Opticks, Earth observations, aurorae, solar storms, spectra)
b) Beyond the rainbow (Infra-red, thermal images, Herschel, radio communications, UV and X-rays, protection from UV, UV beads, Earth and space observations)
c) Gravity and orbits (Galileo, Newton, satellites, orbits, SoHO, STEREO, Solar Orbiter)
d) Harnessing solar energy on Earth and in Space; shine like a star (Einstein, photo-electric effect, nuclear fusion, solar farms, solar panels in space, ISS, space observatories)
e) Light and dark (day and night, seasons, ISS orbit, Solar Aid, sundials, eclipses)
The new resources and additional material (including children's art work, school activities and exhibitions) will be hosted on the Sun|trek (www.suntrek.org) website. The resources will highlight STFC funded solar research and researchers.The Sun|trek site will be updated and enhanced, in particular the interface for schools and teachers. The resources will also be linked to other websites, such as MediaSpaceUK (www.mediaspaceuk.co.uk), ESERO, STEM and the Space2Earth website (www.spacetoearthchallenge.org.uk), which is linked closely to Tim Peake's flight on the ISS (Dec 2015 - June 2016).
The project will be showcased at teachers' conferences and CPD sessions. Other solar researchers and post-grad students will be encouraged to participate. HEM's network of contacts, public lectures, social media, TV and radio activities will ensure that the project reaches far and wide.
The main aim is to develop and deliver a set of five focussed resources about the Sun for the younger age group, mainly primary KS2, but also KS3. This is a key age for exciting an interest in science and harnessing the children's imagination through cross-curriculum activities. The project would aim, in particular, to link science with the arts (STEAM) to help children appreciate how the Sun, and space observations contribute to a better understanding of our place in the universe. This project will go beyond the visible and explore what we can detect at other wavelengths (eg infrared, radio, UV, X-rays) and the concept of false colour images will be explored, with the opportunity to inspire abstract art. There will be a natural bias towards the Sun and its interaction with the Earth, but other areas of astronomy and space science will be included. The resources will explore the work of a some relevant scientists (eg Galileo, Newton, Einstein, Herschel, Fr Secchi, Annie Maunder) and also present some contemporary role models from the solar physics community, in particular females. Consultant artists and teachers will be engaged to work on this project.
The five solar themes identified are:
a) Colours of light (Sun's radiation, Galileo, sunspots, Annie Maunder, Newton, Opticks, Earth observations, aurorae, solar storms, spectra)
b) Beyond the rainbow (Infra-red, thermal images, Herschel, radio communications, UV and X-rays, protection from UV, UV beads, Earth and space observations)
c) Gravity and orbits (Galileo, Newton, satellites, orbits, SoHO, STEREO, Solar Orbiter)
d) Harnessing solar energy on Earth and in Space; shine like a star (Einstein, photo-electric effect, nuclear fusion, solar farms, solar panels in space, ISS, space observatories)
e) Light and dark (day and night, seasons, ISS orbit, Solar Aid, sundials, eclipses)
The new resources and additional material (including children's art work, school activities and exhibitions) will be hosted on the Sun|trek (www.suntrek.org) website. The resources will highlight STFC funded solar research and researchers.The Sun|trek site will be updated and enhanced, in particular the interface for schools and teachers. The resources will also be linked to other websites, such as MediaSpaceUK (www.mediaspaceuk.co.uk), ESERO, STEM and the Space2Earth website (www.spacetoearthchallenge.org.uk), which is linked closely to Tim Peake's flight on the ISS (Dec 2015 - June 2016).
The project will be showcased at teachers' conferences and CPD sessions. Other solar researchers and post-grad students will be encouraged to participate. HEM's network of contacts, public lectures, social media, TV and radio activities will ensure that the project reaches far and wide.
Organisations
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Lead Research Organisation)
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (Collaboration)
- Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- HARVARD UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- Diocese of Ely (Collaboration)
- The Ideas Foundation (Collaboration)
- Manchester University (Collaboration)
- Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Spacelink Learning Foundation (Collaboration)
- Royal Observatory Greenwich (Collaboration)
- SolarSphere Festival (Collaboration)
- UK Space Agency (Collaboration)
- Science Museum Group (Collaboration)
- The Ideas Foundation (Project Partner)
People |
ORCID iD |
| Helen Mason (Principal Investigator / Fellow) |
Publications
Del Zanna G
(2018)
Solar UV and X-ray spectral diagnostics.
in Living reviews in solar physics
Mulay S
(2017)
Temperature and density structure of a recurring active region jet
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mulay S
(2016)
Multiwavelength study of 20 jets that emanate from the periphery of active regions
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Mulay S
(2017)
Cool and hot emission in a recurring active region jet
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Polito V
(2017)
Analysis and modelling of recurrent solar flares observed with Hinode/EIS on March 9, 2012
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Polito V
(2016)
SIMULTANEOUS IRIS AND HINODE/EIS OBSERVATIONS AND MODELING OF THE 2014 OCTOBER 27 X2.0 CLASS FLARE
in The Astrophysical Journal
Polito V
(2016)
Density diagnostics derived from the O iv and S iv intercombination lines observed by IRIS
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Young P
(2016)
The CHIANTI atomic database
in Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
| Title | Sun, Space and Art |
| Description | The SunSpaceArt project runs workshops with scientists and artists in primary schools. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | Beautiful artwork has been produced by the school children. |
| Description | The SunSpaceArt team have run many workshops for schools throughout the UK, reaching hundreds of children. |
| Exploitation Route | This funding has been taken forward in the STFC funded project 'SunSpaceArt - Phase II'. the information, blogs and downloadable resources on the sunspaceart.org website are partially an outcome from this grant. These can be used by teachers to deliver their own STEAM activities in the classroom. |
| Sectors | Education |
| URL | https://www.sunspaceart.org |
| Description | The SunSpaceArt project has continued its work with teachers, running CPD sessions, and also running workshops in collaboration with other organisations, Science Museums etc. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Helios: Solar Storms Senario - Risk Assessment |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Impact | The study looks at the economic impact of solar storms, which are high on the UK's risk register. |
| URL | https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/risk/news-events/events/2016/understanding-the-he... |
| Description | STFC SPARKS awards |
| Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/R001561/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2017 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | SunSpaceArt - Phase II |
| Amount | £75,981 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ST/S001042/1 |
| Organisation | Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 09/2021 |
| Title | CHIANTI - Atomic Database |
| Description | CHIANTI is an atomic database developed by the Atomic Astrophysics research group at DAMTP, funded by STFC. It is now universally used by the solar physics community for the analysis of solar spectra, and is also widely used in the astrophysical community. Giulio Del Zanna is a key member of the CHIANTI team, and has led several CHIANTI papers and releases. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | CHIANTI has facilitated the analysis of solar spectra leading to over 3350 citations. |
| URL | http://www.chiantidatabase.org/ |
| 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 | 2016 |
| Description | Co-I of Hinode EIS team |
| Organisation | University College London |
| Department | Department of Space and Climate Physics (MSSL) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Over the years we have contributed to the Hinode EIS team in proposing observations, providing atomic data, instrument calibration, and helping young researchers into the use of the instrument. |
| Collaborator Contribution | This is a large international collaboration. MSSL is the leading institute that has provided most of the hardware. |
| Impact | A large number of papers and conferences. |
| Start Year | 2007 |
| 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, 2016, 2017, 2018 and February 2020. 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. She visited India in November 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020 and worked with school and university students. Post-covid, Prof Helen Mason visited Prof Durgesh Tripahi, IUCAA, Pune, in February and November 2023, to interact with researchers, give talks and seminars, and work with schools and universities. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Join research papers. Collaborative educational projects and resources. Aditya-L1, ISRO's first dedicated solar mission was launched in September 2023. Prof Tripathi is the PI on one of the instruments, SUIT, used to study the chromosphere. |
| Impact | Workshops have been delivered to teachers and students in India, in November 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, 2020 and post-Covid in February and November 2023. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Collaboration with SEERIH, University of Manchester |
| Organisation | Manchester University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The SunSpaceArt team ran a Continued Professional Development day at SEERIH for 30 primary school teachers. |
| Collaborator Contribution | SEERIH (Through the Science Window), linked with the University of Manchester, hosted a CPD session for teachers for the Sun|trek: Here Comes the Sun Project, with facilities and administrative support. |
| Impact | Teachers were trained to run STEAM (STEM + Art) activities in their schools. They are engaged with this. many schools (14) requested SunSpaceArt workshops to be hosted by their schools. So far, workshops have been run by helen Mason and Helen Schell at four schools in Srockport, with very positive feedback. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Ely Cathedral - SunSpaceArt workshops |
| Organisation | Diocese of Ely |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Have run SunSpaceArt 'family drop-in' sessions annually at the Ely Cathedral Science Festivals |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing the venue and facilities. |
| Impact | Reaching approximately 200 family members. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Get Space |
| Organisation | Spacelink Learning Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Participation in the annual Get Space workshops for school children organised by SpaceLink. Giving talks and running SunSpaceArt workshops. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Facilitating the Get Space Workshops. |
| Impact | Worked with over 200 children and 20 teachers. The feedback has been superb. 'I found the day amazing. I love science even more now', 'I enjoyed it very much and it was inspiring'. We distributed around 50 STFC leaflets. Continued participation. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Great Science Share |
| Organisation | Manchester University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The Great Science Share is an annual event involving hundreds of school children. We have participated in this event for several years in collaboration with Lynne Bianchi, Fascinate Science, University of Manchester. We have participated in the event in Manchester several times, and in 2018, joined schools and teachers in London. 2019, in collaboration with the National Botanical Gardens, Wales. In 2020 we joined the on-line sessions. In 2021, 2022 and 2023 we participated in Great Science Share celebrations in the SE and greater London, in collaboration with Kulvinder Johal from the Primary Science Teachers Trust. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Great Science Share is organised by Lynne Bianchi and colleagues, and has grown each year, until it is now a national event. They provide facilities. Talks and SunSpaceArt workshops in Wales, Greater Manchester and Greater London. |
| Impact | We have reached thousands of primary school students and teachers. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | NASA - Total Eclipse 2017 |
| Organisation | National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | NASA Solar expert at Great Smoky Mountains, Eclipse 2017 |
| Collaborator Contribution | NASA facilitated a visit to the USA and stay at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I participated in the activities giving a presentation to hundreds of people, and was on NASA TV, reaching thousands. |
| Impact | Public lecture about solar physics reached hundreds of people. TV appearances reached thousands. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | RAL Space - school workshops |
| Organisation | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory |
| Department | RAL Space |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | The SunSpaceArt team have run workshops for school children and Continued Professional Development sessions for teachers at RAL Space. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Facilitiation of these activities (admin, venue, refreshments) plus participation by Alessandra Giunta, Solar Orbiter team at RAL Space. |
| Impact | Workshops for over 70 primary school children and 10 teachers. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Royal Observatory Greenwich |
| Organisation | Royal Observatory Greenwich |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Participation in a number of activities aimed at the public and school children, talks about the Sun and STFC funded solar research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Facilitating these activities, making a video for social media. |
| Impact | Reaching around 300 members of the public and students. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Science Museum - the Sun |
| Organisation | Science Museum Group |
| Department | The Science Museum |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The SunSpaceArt team have been running many activities associated with 'The Sun - Living with a Star' exhibition at the Science Museum London. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Science Museum have been very keen on our participation and facilitated this, also provided art resources. |
| Impact | We have participated in: Panel discussion associated with the '8 Mins' performance on the opening evening (200 members of the public), running SunSpaceArt activities at the 'Family Sun Festivals' held in Nov 2018 (300 family members) and March 2019 (500 family members), the Lates in November 2018 (300 adults) and the 'Night Owls' (50 families with autistic youths). We have enriched the exhibition with STFC funded solar science information (eg about solar space projects, including Solar Orbiter) and the distribution of 500 STFC leaflets. In total, we have worked with over 1300 children, families and young adults, informing them about the Sun and solar research, making creative art. We have distributed over 500 STFC leaflets on the Sun and Moon. The feedback has been exceptional for all these events. 'Fantastic workshop, very informative' (parent). We have been contacted by people who attended for more information about the STFC funded SunSpaceArt project. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Science and creativity with the Ideas Foundation |
| Organisation | The Ideas Foundation |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | I have been working together with the Ideas Foundation to develop and provide activities for school students, in particular relating science (Sun, space) with creative activities (art, design). We have engaged with a school in Liverpool and a school in Essex, more recently in Maidstone and Greater Manchester. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Ideas Foundation provide the creative input, and networking opportunities. |
| Impact | Workshops have been run at LiverpoolFACT and Hockerill Anglo-European College, Maidstone Arts Festival and in Greater Manchester. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | SolarSphere Festival |
| Organisation | SolarSphere Festival |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | The SolarSphere Festival is an annual Science/Music/Crafts festival held in Builth Wells, Wales. HEM has participated on several occasions, giving talks and running SunSpaceArt workshops. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing the venue and facilities. |
| Impact | Reaching about 200 family members. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | UK Space Agency: Space to Earth Challenge |
| 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 | 2016 |
| Description | ARISS link-up with Tim Peake |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | ARISS link ups with Tim Peake were an opportunity to link secondary schools and feeder primary schools, with talks and workshops. I participated in events in Norwich, Bristol and Stockport. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://principia.ariss.org/ |
| Description | Cambridge Science Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Members of the Atomic Astrophysics Group, in particular Helen Mason and Giulio Del Zanna, with post-docs and graduate students, regularly participate in the Biennial Open Day at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge. They showcase their STFC funded solar research activities and handed out information about STFC science, including around 100 STFC leaflets. This event is always very popular and the number of people reached is thousands. The team engage individuals, both adults and children, with posters, discussions, videos and interactive activities. The people expressed their thanks and appreciation of this outreach activity. The public report an interest in the topic and an increase in their knowledge about solar space research. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2017,2019 |
| Description | Cambridge Science Festival and Festival of Ideas - Public Lectures |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Helen Mason gave Public Lectures on Solar Space Science at the Cambridge Science Festival and the Festival of Ideas |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://queen-ediths.info/event/cambridge-science-festival-2017-dynamic-sun/ |
| 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 | HEM promoting solar science on social media - twitter and facebook |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | HEM has very active Twitter and Facebook sites reaching thousands. Posts about space science, astronomy, NASA, ESA, STFC, school activities, Women in STEM, science and art etc. People oftne share or retweet posts about solar science or SunSpaceArt workshops. They express interest and share with others. STFC often shares HEM's posts. Connections are made with teachers, who request more information or school workshops. People often express an increase in their knowledge about the Sun and space. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022 |
| URL | https://twitter.com/helen_hm11 |
| Description | IoP Careers event for female undergraduate physics students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Keynote address, lots of questions and interaction, in particular about careers for women in SET. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | One of NASA's solar experts for the 2017 Total Eclipse of the Sun |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Helen Mason was NASA's solar expert and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park for the 2017 Total Eclipse of the Sun. This involved participating in the eclipse activities, giving a talk, running workshops, being on TV - NASA 360, and other TV channels, in the press etc. Through this event, she reached thousands of members of the general public in the USA and beyond. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/tennessee/2017/07/12/astronaut-cambridge-professor-among-s... |
| Description | Principia Conferences - Portsmouth and York |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Principia conferences were held in Portsmouth and York to celebrate Tim Peake's flight on the ISS. I helped to run workshops and gave a talk. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://principia.org.uk/schools-conferences/ |
| 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), Winchester Science Festival, 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 | Public lectures and talks at schools by Helen Mason |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Helen Mason has given many talks to schools and public lectures. These have been to students of all ages, primary, secondary, sixth formers, undergraduates and post-graduates. In addition there have been talks to Astronomy Clubs, branches of the IoP, Women in Science Events, Science Festivals, Solar Sphere Festival, at the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Observatory Greenwich. She has reached thousands of people. The feedback has been very good, leading to further requests for talks. She has distributed information about STFC science. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | RAL - 14th Appleton Space Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Invited talk about the STFC funded SunSpaceArt project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.ralspace.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/14th-Appleton-Space-Conference.aspx |
| Description | Stellarium - Dance about the birth of a star |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Linking up with Dance Manchester, we worked with several secondary schools to perform a dance expressing the birth of a star -the Sun. This was performed in several public locations in Manchester, and also at the Big Science Share conference for primary schools. It was a stunning success. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rie5wYffr10 |
| Description | Sun, Space and Art workshops in primary schools |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Sun, Space and Art workshops bring together scientists and artists to work in primary schools. The results have been impressive, beautiful art work and an enrichment of science in the schools, with lots of questions from the children. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | SunSpaceArt Workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | SunSpaceArt workshops have been run in over 80 schools across the UK. Artists and scientists have been working together with the children and teachers to enhance scientific knowledge and creativity. The workshops have been very successful, with a high demand for more from many teachers and schools across the UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| 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 | Talks relating to Women in Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Helen Mason has given many talks about her own career, relating to careers for Women in Science (some are on-line). She gave a talk at the RAS for International Women's Day, a keynote address for Cambridge AWISE and talks to STEM undergraduates in Bath (Feb. 2019) and UCL (Jan 2019) about her career in solar space science. The young students and postgraduates asked many questions about the science and about careers. She has had several blogs written about her, for example by the European Geophysical Union. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| URL | https://blogs.egu.eu/divisions/st/2017/12/15/dr-helen-mason-solar-space-missions-a-life-with-the-sun... |
| Description | Talks to Sixth Form students about Solar Space Science |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Helen Mason has given talks to many sixth form students at their schools and at school conferences. the students are always eager to learn about solar space science, what we have learnt and future projects, such as ESA's solar Orbiter. They ask some very interesting questions. They are keen to learn more about career opportunities in STEM subjects. As a consequence, HEM has been invited to visit other schools. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | Work with schools and teachers in India |
| 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 | Helen Mason has worked with many teachers and school children in India, during her visits in November 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. This work has been carried out mainly at IUCAA, Pune, India, but also at the Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi and in Tamil Nadu. She has given several public lectures. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2020 |
| URL | http://punemirror.indiatimes.com/pune/cover-story//articleshow/31241616.cms |
| 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 relating to Tim Peake Radio Cam, interviews relating to Tim Peake 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 20 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 |
| Description | Workshops, training events for teachers |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The SunSpaceArt team led by Helen Mason have run many training events for primary school teachers, with ESERO, at the ASE, with SEERIH (University of Manchester), RAL, Space Camps UK, East Anglia and locally. The teachers have expressed a great interest in the SunSpaceArt project, requesting further information and visits to schools. The team have distributed hundreds of STFC leaflets (Sun and Moon) and informed individuals about how to order them online.. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |