Cosmic Curiosity: Stories that Spark the Imagination
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Hertfordshire
Department Name: School of Physics, Eng & Computer Scienc
Abstract
Our aim with this project is to:
1. Increased interest of local community in astronomy and STEM in libraries
2. Long lasting partnership between the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Maths (PAM)
and library services
3. Broaden families' expectations of astronomy and STEM
1. Increased interest of local community in astronomy and STEM in libraries
2. Long lasting partnership between the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Maths (PAM)
and library services
3. Broaden families' expectations of astronomy and STEM
Planned Impact
- Distribution of Produced Resources -
(1) STEM book loyalty cards, bookmarks and promotional material
The STEM book loyalty cards will be given to parents, carers and children. For each STEM book the parents, carers and children borrow they will receive a stamp on their loyalty card and after they have borrowed four, they will receive a bookmark as a reward which will have further information about astronomy/science. These will be shared with other Hertfordshire libraries and our partner primary schools
(2) Promotion of events and project
Library staff will promote the events and projects through newsletters, social media, word of mouth and posters. I will promote it in our partner primary schools and social media pages.
(3) Online Publication of Activity Booklet
This will be uploaded to our University webpages and the QR for the page will be on the STEM book loyalty cards and bookmarks
(4) STEM Books
Extra STEM books will be given to our 4 partner libraries and 7 additional libraries so that the impact of the project can be expanded
- Informing wider STEM and Education Sector -
(1) Online Publication of Final Report
(2) Presentation of Results at Conferences
We will present the results at STEM public engagement conferences if accepted such as the BIG Event 2022, Interact 2022 and Engage 2022.
(3) Presentation of Results to Ogden Trust and SEPnet Outreach and Public Engagement Officers
Results of the project will be presented to other outreach officers at our annual meetings/training sessions
(4) Presentation of Results to Hertfordshire Libraries
Results will be presented at any larger Hertfordshire Library meetings
(5) Presentation of Results to Department of Physics Astronomy and Maths
Results will be presented to the department in order to encourage good public engagement practice in the department
(6) Training videos and sessions
Training on STEM awareness and on running the sessions will be made available to all Hertfordshire library staff to expand the scheme.
(1) STEM book loyalty cards, bookmarks and promotional material
The STEM book loyalty cards will be given to parents, carers and children. For each STEM book the parents, carers and children borrow they will receive a stamp on their loyalty card and after they have borrowed four, they will receive a bookmark as a reward which will have further information about astronomy/science. These will be shared with other Hertfordshire libraries and our partner primary schools
(2) Promotion of events and project
Library staff will promote the events and projects through newsletters, social media, word of mouth and posters. I will promote it in our partner primary schools and social media pages.
(3) Online Publication of Activity Booklet
This will be uploaded to our University webpages and the QR for the page will be on the STEM book loyalty cards and bookmarks
(4) STEM Books
Extra STEM books will be given to our 4 partner libraries and 7 additional libraries so that the impact of the project can be expanded
- Informing wider STEM and Education Sector -
(1) Online Publication of Final Report
(2) Presentation of Results at Conferences
We will present the results at STEM public engagement conferences if accepted such as the BIG Event 2022, Interact 2022 and Engage 2022.
(3) Presentation of Results to Ogden Trust and SEPnet Outreach and Public Engagement Officers
Results of the project will be presented to other outreach officers at our annual meetings/training sessions
(4) Presentation of Results to Hertfordshire Libraries
Results will be presented at any larger Hertfordshire Library meetings
(5) Presentation of Results to Department of Physics Astronomy and Maths
Results will be presented to the department in order to encourage good public engagement practice in the department
(6) Training videos and sessions
Training on STEM awareness and on running the sessions will be made available to all Hertfordshire library staff to expand the scheme.
| Description | The "Cosmic Curiosity: Stories that Spark the Imagination" initiative, has yielded significant impact in Hertfordshire. Notably, we've observed an increase of 2000 STEM book borrowings across seven local libraries, indicative of an improved interest in science literature among community members. Central to our success has been the development and distribution of the astronomy activity resource booklet for families, which continues to garner positive reception in libraries and at astronomy events. Our partnership with Hertfordshire Libraries has provided invaluable learning experiences for both library staff and university personnel. Through our joint sessions, library staff have honed their presentation, communication, and event management skills in part from the training sessions, scripts and videos developed. While university staff have gained insights into working with families and KS1 audiences. This collaborative exchange of expertise has enriched our collective understanding and approach to public engagement and education. We have had the opportunity to speak at three conferences, where we are able to advocate to the science communication community the importance of running astronomy events tailored specifically for families and younger children ages 4-7. By showcasing the successes and benefits of our partnership, we underscore the significance of collaborative efforts in fostering community engagement and advancing scientific literacy. Additionally, our project's impact has been recognised with the Family Learning to Support STEM Award from the Campaign for Learning. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funding hold the potential for broader dissemination and utilisation by others. Our successful presentations at conferences and recognition with the Family Learning to Support STEM Award highlight the effectiveness and replicability of our approach in promoting science education within communities. Additionally, the development of the astronomy activity resource booklet and the increase in STEM book borrowings from local libraries demonstrate practical tools and strategies for engaging the public in STEM activities and literature. The acquisition of valuable skills by project participants, including library staff and university personnel, underscores the capacity-building aspect of collaborative public engagement initiatives. By developing comprehensive resources and sessions, including scripts and training videos, we have facilitated the transformation of this project into a structured program that can be easily replicated and utilised across Hertfordshire with plans in place for all Hertfordshire libraries to deliver at least one Cosmic Curiosity session by the conclusion of 2024. |
| Sectors | Education |
| Description | Every library in Hertfordshire will run at least one Cosmic Curiosity session by the end of 2024. The impact of this is notable and wide-ranging. For example, Waltham Cross Library, one of Hertfordshire's smallest libraries located in an area of high deprivation, has seen significant positive outcomes. Staff at Waltham Cross Library ran two Cosmic Curiosity sessions in April 2023. These sessions were supported by two of the library's 'My Voice' volunteers. 'My Voice' is an Arts Council England-funded project spanning two years, aimed at transforming the development of events and activities for young people within Hertfordshire libraries. It empowers volunteers aged 14-24 to influence, co-create, and co-produce these offerings. After being involved with these Cosmic Curiosity sessions it inspired them to develop a unique event for primary-age children around Harry Potter Book Day in October. They adapted a Family Learning session, incorporating additional activities and utilizing STEM kit such as drones, Owl Post, and MicroBit Sorting Hat, to create engaging STEM activities linked to the Harry Potter theme. By providing libraries with the resources and support to run STEM sessions with volunteers, Cosmic Curiosity has empowered these volunteers to develop confidence in their STEM outreach skills. This confidence has enabled them to innovate and create new sessions. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Education |
| Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
| Description | University Hertfordshire - Hertfordshire Library STEM Outreach Partnership |
| Organisation | Hertfordshire County Council |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | The university staff ran training on: STEM outreach research, aims and expected outcomes of the project, STEM delivery engagement and confidence, how to deliver and run the sessions. We created training videos of how to run the activities and provided session scripts, which were posted on the Hertfordshire Libraries cloud platform, and supported library staff throughout the project. We also led on the funding application, activity development, resource development and distrubition, resource organisation, evaluation development and analysis, reporting writing and dissemination of outputs. |
| Collaborator Contribution | We worked together with the Senior Librarian for Children and Young People to write the funding bid and design the in session and at home activities (Table 1). We selected this based on their creative elements, age appropriateness and low cost of materials so families would be able to carry out activities again easily if they wished. In addition, with the Early Years Librarian we chose 25 books for the project together that adequately show-cased diverse role-models, accurate science and age-appropriateness, with one list for children and one list for their parents and carers. A Service Development and Project Librarian then worked with us for the duration of the delivery of the project and was invaluable in organising the library specific logistics of all sessions such as selecting appropriate event spaces and coordinating library staff. The local library staff shared skills with the university staff in how to effectively engage the diverse local community and engage in story-telling. |
| Impact | As a result, the library staff reported gaining a breadth of skills, including presenting, improving participants' engagement, communication, managing events, and astronomy knowledge. For example a library staff stated: 'Watching a session being led was a useful experience as to how to manage and lead a session. Interesting to see and I feel as if I have gained skills on how to direct and engage with children.' 'I learned how a rocket is launched and how to explain that to a child or anyone else'. Two of the partner libraries will continue to run these sessions without a representative from the university. Our patnership has continued with a 12-week JWST photo exhibition and a lecture in four libraries in collaboration with STFC Webb Fellow Dr Emma Curtis Lake and run a display of books and career profiles in one library for the International Women and Girls in Science Day in collaboration with female and non-binary staff members in the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science. |
| Start Year | 2021 |
| Description | Cosmic Curiosity Public Events |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 16 astronomy story time sessions with approx 10 children at each event with parents and carers. Full details of individual events in reporting spreadsheet. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Cosmic Curiosity Training |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We ran training sessions with library and university staff on STEM outreach research, aims and expected outcomes of the project, STEM delivery engagement and confidence, how to deliver and run the sessions. We created training videos of how to run the activities and provided session scripts, which were posted on the Hertfordshire Libraries cloud platform, and supported library staff throughout the project. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |