Exploring Extreme Environments

Exploring Extreme Environments brings together STFC-funded scientists, artists and public engagement experts to provide ongoing and sustained engagement with children, young people and families. The science focuses is STFC work with a particular focus on solar physics and planetary science through earth observation in remote (cold) locations: the extreme environments of the title. Over the course of three years, children in eight primary schools, their teachers and families, will meet professionals from both the arts and sciences to learn about how we can 'look at' extreme environments; from the intense heat of the Sun's corona to the sub-zero conditions of Antarctica. Sessions will be targeted across the whole age range of the school, starting with storytime sessions for children aged 3 - 4, assemblies and workshops for children aged 7 - 12, and after-school family activity sessions based on STFC funded work in extreme environments. Teachers will also receive CPD sessions linking the curriculum to STFC science and careers. Story-time sessions will take place in local cultural venues to support families with young children to become confident in talking about science and technology together using extreme environments.

The project will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing between poet Katrina Porteous and researchers at Northumbria University to explore the use of Earth Observation satellites in viewing and understanding remote and extreme environments. Katrina Porteous will also work with composer Peter Zinovieff to create a poetry and sound performance drawing on research data from Antarctica. This work will be performed by Katrina Porteous at three different literary and cultural events. A booklet containing the poems and the science will be created to provide an ongoing legacy of the collaboration for both attendees at the performances, and for the teachers. This collaboration will inspire the co-creation and delivery of cross-curricular literacy and science workshops for the primary school pupils.
The project also develops public engagement capacity within the Faculty of Engineering and Environment at Northumbria University through a programme of science communication training and collaboration in workshop development and delivery.