AstroBoost: using JWST science to survey public engagement activity, inspire amateur astronomers and showcase UK involvement to the public.
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Astronomical Society
Department Name: Astronomy
Abstract
There are three aims for this project:
1. to survey public engagement activity by astronomy societies in the Southern Area region.
2. to develop a new mechanism to support astronomy societies in delivery of high quality public engagement activities.
3. showcasing James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) science to the public, highlighting the UK involvement.
1. Survey public engagement activity
To the knowledge of the Project Team (including the Vice President of the Southern Area Group of Astronomical Socieities, SAGAS), and that of the President of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS), there has been no such survey carried out to date, regionally or nationally.
By collecting information on current activities, it will be possible to identify the reach of the societies to better understand their impact and potential as science communicators. This will aid funding decisions on future projects supporting these activities.
The survey will also better determine the variety of motivations, aspirations and barriers encountered by the societies, to understand how best they may be supported by future projects, and to gauge the potential for improvement and extension of activities.
2. Develop mechanism for support
The project will demonstrate a mechanism for provision of resources to astronomy societies to drive communication of a specific topic (in this case, JWST), and a strategy for engaging societies in public engagement training. A list of general resource requirements and needs will be produced, with the intent of this feeding into future projects.
3. Showcasing JWST
The current JWST launch date of late spring 2019 allows the delivery of these activities to build awareness before the launch, increasing the number of people able to understand the importance and enjoy the excitement of that event.
The project will bring the excitement of JWST science, highlighting UK involvement, to an audience of over 3000. Activities will include the chance for the public to have one-to-one conversation with amateur astronomers and ask questions about JWST.
Audiences will include those attending general community events and passers-by at 'Sidewalk Astronomy' events, who had not specifically been seeking out this information.
Resources will be designed to be robust with the intention that they should outlast the project span, and be useful for post-launch public engagement also.
1. to survey public engagement activity by astronomy societies in the Southern Area region.
2. to develop a new mechanism to support astronomy societies in delivery of high quality public engagement activities.
3. showcasing James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) science to the public, highlighting the UK involvement.
1. Survey public engagement activity
To the knowledge of the Project Team (including the Vice President of the Southern Area Group of Astronomical Socieities, SAGAS), and that of the President of the Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS), there has been no such survey carried out to date, regionally or nationally.
By collecting information on current activities, it will be possible to identify the reach of the societies to better understand their impact and potential as science communicators. This will aid funding decisions on future projects supporting these activities.
The survey will also better determine the variety of motivations, aspirations and barriers encountered by the societies, to understand how best they may be supported by future projects, and to gauge the potential for improvement and extension of activities.
2. Develop mechanism for support
The project will demonstrate a mechanism for provision of resources to astronomy societies to drive communication of a specific topic (in this case, JWST), and a strategy for engaging societies in public engagement training. A list of general resource requirements and needs will be produced, with the intent of this feeding into future projects.
3. Showcasing JWST
The current JWST launch date of late spring 2019 allows the delivery of these activities to build awareness before the launch, increasing the number of people able to understand the importance and enjoy the excitement of that event.
The project will bring the excitement of JWST science, highlighting UK involvement, to an audience of over 3000. Activities will include the chance for the public to have one-to-one conversation with amateur astronomers and ask questions about JWST.
Audiences will include those attending general community events and passers-by at 'Sidewalk Astronomy' events, who had not specifically been seeking out this information.
Resources will be designed to be robust with the intention that they should outlast the project span, and be useful for post-launch public engagement also.
Planned Impact
Many events themselves are already marketed within their own astronomical society.
Within the project some suggestions would be:
-SAGAS convention
-BAP conference
-CAP journal article
-RAS website and Fellows databases
Within the project some suggestions would be:
-SAGAS convention
-BAP conference
-CAP journal article
-RAS website and Fellows databases
People |
ORCID iD |
| Sheila Kanani (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | AstroBoost has quantified the perhaps under-valued contribution of southern-region astronomy societies to informal education, and investigated how this work might best be supported. Almost all societies have public engagement embedded in their work with about two thirds seeking to increase their audiences. The project successfully demonstrated influence of communicated topics and improved practice via delivery of requested resources and training to society members. As a result, Webb science has been communicated to a large number of people who otherwise may not have been engaged. Impact is expected to extend significantly into the future through continued use of skills and resources. The project met the large majority of its aims and objectives. It completed on deadline and slightly under budget. The partner societies engaged a total audience of 909 within the delivery period (target 3000) and expect to reach target through increased use of resources as part of a strong project legacy. Future projects should allow extended time periods for societies to implement new practice. |
| Exploitation Route | We have applied for a Nucleus Award to expand this project - AstroBoost 2. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Other |
| URL | https://ras.ac.uk/education-and-careers/astroboost |
| Description | The 11-page survey report was published in March 2019. Survey findings will be presented at the British Astronomical Association Weekend in April 2019 and the British Association of Planetaria conference in September 2019 (both confirmed). Key findings: • Most (90%) societies consider outreach an important part of their society's activities. Most (90%) had been active in some form of public engagement within the previous year. • The 27 active societies had together reached an estimated 19,530 people over the previous year. Most societies (63%) aspire to increase their audiences. • The most common motivation was enjoyment of sharing the love of astronomy. Education and recruitment of members was also important (although the latter perhaps rarely achieved). • Societies ranged from 10 to 350 members with a median of 55. Availability of willing and capable members was the primary barrier to increasing public engagement activity. Most activity was due to a small core of members, with additional members helping on occasion. • Societies reached a broad range of audiences. The most frequent audiences were 'general public' and groups of children aged 5-11yr. • Societies carried out a broad range of activities - mostly talks, use of telescopes at night, and nakedeye stargazing. Formal activities such as courses and workshops were less-commonly offered. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Education,Other |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal |
| Description | Astronomy Societies |
| Organisation | Guildford Astronomical Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Note that this is not a research project, it is a public engagement project. I ran the project, developing and delivering materials to the astronomy societies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They attended formative half-day focus group (to guide process), a full training day (to learn how to deliver the resources that the project provided) and a formative half-day focus group. |
| Impact | Development of public engagement resources appropriate for the use of amateur astronomy groups. Delivery of these resources to the public, schools and other audiences. Information useful to future projects designed to support astronomy societies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Astronomy Societies |
| Organisation | Hampshire Astronomical Group |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Note that this is not a research project, it is a public engagement project. I ran the project, developing and delivering materials to the astronomy societies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They attended formative half-day focus group (to guide process), a full training day (to learn how to deliver the resources that the project provided) and a formative half-day focus group. |
| Impact | Development of public engagement resources appropriate for the use of amateur astronomy groups. Delivery of these resources to the public, schools and other audiences. Information useful to future projects designed to support astronomy societies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Astronomy Societies |
| Organisation | Newbury Astronomical Society |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Note that this is not a research project, it is a public engagement project. I ran the project, developing and delivering materials to the astronomy societies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | They attended formative half-day focus group (to guide process), a full training day (to learn how to deliver the resources that the project provided) and a formative half-day focus group. |
| Impact | Development of public engagement resources appropriate for the use of amateur astronomy groups. Delivery of these resources to the public, schools and other audiences. Information useful to future projects designed to support astronomy societies. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | British Science Week and other outreach events, working with Guides and Scouts |
| 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 | 350 schools attending Big Bang Fair, Guides and Scouts using resources to get badges, workshops with the general public |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019,2020 |