Bringing different worlds together: Engaging very low social and science capital audiences on Teesside through exoplanet science

Lead Research Organisation: The Open University
Department Name: Faculty of Sci, Tech, Eng & Maths (STEM)

Abstract

I will visit schools in some of the most deprived communities of the UK, and spend time with children, teachers and parents. My aim is to share my enthusiasm for astronomy, specifically for the study of exoplanets: stars orbiting stars other than the sun. I think most people are interested in this science, some of the basic concepts familiar from film franchises like Star Wars. Exoplanets are a great vehicle for introducing scientific and mathematical ideas. I hope to overcome the aversion to science and maths that some members of low social capital communities feel. I am specifically targeting Teesside, including schools in the neighbourhood I grew up. There are not many research scientists to be found in these neighbourhoods, and I hope to demonstrate that children from them can aspire to any career they choose. I will use some of my time to developing networks of people who work in science and technology on Teesside, and facilitating joint events involving them and my target schools. There is a strong and growing digital 21st Century economy on Teesside, but a shortage of interactions between the two worlds apart. I will work with parents who did not succeed in gaining science qualifications in their own schooling, and together we will develop gateway resources to make the world of free online education more accessible. I will evaluate which types of engagement interactions produce the most lasting impacts, and share these findings with research scientists across the UK. I will contribute to a regular feature "This week in Space" on BBC Radio Tees.

Publications

10 25 50
 
Title Alien Worlds Schools event 
Description Online Youtube recording of Alien Worlds Schools hosted on SPS Open University Youtube channel 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact evergreen video resource 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SsraPgBOqQ
 
Title Collectors of Light 
Description In this film, we are introduced to the importance of telescopes to astronomers when trying to discover more about the history of the universe. We learn about the uses and structure of telescopes and discuss the OpenScience Observatories and their contribution to scientific research. We introduce the ground-breaking James Webb telescope and how you can get involved in astronomy. 15 minutes, pitched to KS3 / general public 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact we will develop ebooks for use in KS2 classroom activities partly using what we learned here, and re-using some footage. 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roY5PBZO25Q
 
Title Earth and Space ebook 
Description ebook for whole class iPad interactive lesson for KS2 Earth and Space 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact increased engagement during online interactive lessons 
 
Title Five of the most exciting telescope pictures of theĀ universe 
Description article in The Conversation 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact 150,000 reads 
URL https://theconversation.com/five-of-the-most-exciting-telescope-pictures-of-the-universe-169877
 
Title Galactic gobble: Star swallows planet in one big gulp 
Description expert comment to media "Galactic gobble: Star swallows planet in one big gulp" expert comment in Associated Press Article. Picked up by numerous other websites. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact wide international reach 
 
Title How do scientists study the atmospheres of exoplanets? 
Description magazine article 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact "How do scientists study the atmospheres of exoplanets?" All about space magazine Space magazine Issue 127, Feb 2022 
 
Title International Women and Girls in STEM schools event 
Description Online Youtube recording of International Women and Girls in STEM schools evet hosted on SPS Open University 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2022 
Impact evergreen video resource 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IOG-aRVoI0
 
Title Interview used in The Big Bang: Before the Dawn 
Description Interview used in Universe: BBC/OU co-production Episode 5 "The Big Bang: Before the Dawn" available on BBC iPlayer Also used in PBS production for audiences in the USA 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact wide international reach 
 
Title Let the Suns shine 
Description Orrery kits with self powered LEDs to make the suns shine. Video instructions on how to make them. 
Type Of Art Artefact (including digital) 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact added a DT component to the Earth and Space curriculum 
 
Title PhD student Agni Banerjee talking about Venus 
Description Short film on Venus at the KS2 level. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact adds variety to online lessons. Introduces a BME researcher. 
 
Title Rocky planets across the Galaxy 
Description Public Lecture: Rocky planets across the Galaxy event hosted by the Geological Society 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact evergreen video resource 
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYhkJmPeWcI
 
Title Trailer for exoplanets episode of Universe 
Description Trailer for exoplanets episode of Universe (Universe was BBC/OU co-production aired on BBC and worldwide). Released on multiple OU social media channels. Giving one URL only. 
Type Of Art Film/Video/Animation 
Year Produced 2021 
Impact raise awareness among OU audiences 
URL https://twitter.com/OpenUniversity/status/1455908893536686080
 
Description Star Hub 
Organisation North York Moors National Park Authority
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution I supported the development and application for International Dark Skies Reserve status. I collaborated on the planning and inauguration of the new Star Hub facility at Sutton Bank. I conceived and organised dark sky viewing experiences for primary school groups, and organised these.
Collaborator Contribution The Park provide the venue and facility, and complementary activities delivered by the NYM Education and Youth Engagement staff.
Impact the outputs are schools and public engagement events and capacity to do more of the same
Start Year 2021
 
Description StarHub stargazing 
Organisation North York Moors National Park Authority
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution We run startgazing events for children from disadvantaged communities at the NYM Park Authority's Sutton Bank Star Hub
Collaborator Contribution Provid venue. Run complementary nature activities. Provide staff.
Impact Inauguration of Dark Skies Viewing Platform (I was guest of honour) covered in the regional press.
Start Year 2021
 
Description stargazing at Danby 
Organisation North York Moors National Park Authority
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution night sky expertise, astronomy knowledge and communication skills. Telescopes and meteorites. Personnel to deliver events and pre-session online preparation for the schools involved.
Collaborator Contribution venue, equipment, geocaching activity during dusk, telescopes, personnel to deliver events.
Impact Stargazing events delivered
Start Year 2021
 
Description "Galactic gobble: Star swallows planet in one big gulp" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact "Galactic gobble: Star swallows planet in one big gulp" expert comment in Associated Press Article https://apnews.com/article/star-eats-planet-galactic-gulp-660ef9e64e15e35f8ad820e032494704
Picked up by numerous other sites including www.nbcnews.com, euronews.com, https://www.thescottishfarmer.co.uk/news/23498690.scientists-capture-sun-like-star-swallowing-planet-whole/ www.huffpost.com, https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/world-news/2023/05/03/scientists-capture-sun-like-star-swallowing-a-planet-whole/
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description BBC Radio 5 Live, Oct 25th 2023 discussing proposal for first all British crewed space flight. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact BBC Radio 5 Live, Oct 25th discussing proposal for first all British crewed space flight.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Cambridge Trip 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Organised and delivered trip to Kings College and Institute of Astronomy Cambridge for children from 3 primary schools serving low social capital communities. Included tour and lunch at Kings College, lectures on astronomy and career choices and a visit to a historic telescope. Feedback from teachers and students was excellent. Some of the children reported it was a life-changing impact.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://teesbusiness.co.uk/2023/07/18/pow-backs-pupils-cambridge-university-visit/
 
Description Collectors of Light 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact we made a short film called Collectors of Light which explains how astronomers use telescopes to collect light and thus learn the properties of astronomical objects.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roY5PBZO25Q
 
Description Dark Sky Viewing 
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 I organised a dark sky viewing visit by Pennyman Primary Academy to the dark sky viewing platform on Sutton bank in Oct 2021 in collaboration with partners.

Subsequent visits have been arranged in 2022
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
 
Description Gaia DR3 launch event for 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 I ran a national (international? as more than one home nation included) schools event to celebrate the milestone 3rd release from the ESA Gaia satellite. We webcast from Goonhilly in Cornwall to schools around the UK and had three primary schools from the local community present on site. We worked with young scientists around the country who were present in classrooms. We covered spectroscopy with a hands on activity where each pupil built and used their own spectrograph, we covered distance determination by parallax in an interactive presentation. Pupils were able to use and define the words "spectrum" and "parallax" afterwards. They took their spectrographs home to share with their family, raising science capital.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Geopolitics of yellow and blue flight suits 
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 Appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live Sunday Breakfast, March 20th.
Discussing geopolitical interpretation of the yellow and blue flight suits Russian Cosmonauts arriving at the International Space Station
Reach ~ 1.2 million
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description HD 110067 resonant sextuplet 
Form Of Engagement Activity A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Media (as a channel to the public)
Results and Impact Expert comment on HD 110067 resonant sextuplet of sub-Neptunes. Quoted in Science and Sky and Telescope.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Interactive Key Stage 2 Earth and Space Summary Session. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Interactive Key Stage 2 Earth and Space Summary Session. Interactive lessons delivered via zoom with in-class tasks for the children delivered via whole-class iPad provision. Brambles Primary Academy Year 5 children.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description International day of Women and Girls in Science 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact I organised a webinar for Key Stage 2 children in Feb 2022 in which 4 female scientists talked about their work in an age-appropriate way.

780 people attended.

We hope to overcome the preconception that scientists are invariably middle-aged white affluent males, and encourage young people to consider careers in STEM. We have some pre- evaluation data and are awaiting our post evaluation data.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description JWST images and scientific potential 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact July 2022 Interview on FM4 Radio (Austrian National Public Radio) on James Webb Space Telescope images and scientific potential
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Journey through our skies from your home 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Journey through our skies from your home Online public lecture and Q&A Session as part of the North York Moors National Park Authority's Dark Skies Festival.
Coverage in local papers and on BBC website of this event
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-68252193
 
Description Keynote Speaker Tees BusinessWoman of the Year Awards 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact Gave keynote speech at awards dinner. Raised awareness of work with schools, Spark Tees Valley, PoW and the power of the Cambridge trip to inspire.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://teesbusiness.co.uk/2023/09/29/a-night-to-remember-as-tees-businesswomen-awards-celebrated/
 
Description Live Q&A with Newcomen Primary School Year 5 children 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Children were very well engaged and motivated after I told them I went to their school.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Live Space Q&A with Brambles Primary Academy Year 5 children 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Live Space Q&A with Brambles Primary Academy Year 5 children
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Online Stargazing Preparation Session. Brambles Primary Academy Year 5 children. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Online Stargazing Preparation Session. Brambles Primary Academy Year 5 children.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Radio 5 Live Sunday breakfast "Start me Up" 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Live radio appearance discussing the implications of the UK's first (attempted as it turned out) orbital space launch from Spaceport Cornwall. Focussed on the Space Industry ecosystem which is developing in Cornwall and its implications for the career prospects of young people in the South West.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Stargazing Experiences 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Stargazing Experiences Face to Face events for 5 low social capital primary schools
Sutton Bank, North York Moors National Park.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Stargazing Experiences 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Stargazing Experiences Face to Face events for 7 low social capital primary schools
Danby Lodge, North York Moors National Park.

pre-and post- event surveying was carried out at Brambles Primary academy. Before and after 12/45 and 18/44 pupils respectively said they wanted to study or work in science. This constitutes an increase of 14%, from 27% to 41%, in the fraction of the children wanting to study or work in science. This increase occurred after 3 online lessons and a face-to-face event. Alternatively, this is a 50% increase in the number of children wanting to study or work in science.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Stargazing Introduction. 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact Stargazing Introduction. Interactive lessons delivered via zoom with in-class tasks for the children delivered via whole-class iPad provision. Designed lesson plan as per teacher request, produced interactive e-books in keynote and lesson slides. Delivered lessons to 4 primary schools in low social capital communities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description TV appearance: Brian Cox Universe 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact talking head appearance in high profile BBC / PBS / OU co-production discussing the history and emotional impact of the Hubble launch and optics story on the astronomy community
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09ybnpd
 
Description The Conversation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A magazine, newsletter or online publication
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact I wrote an article connected with the forthcoming launch of the James Webb Space Telescope.

It has had over 140,000 views
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://theconversation.com/five-of-the-most-exciting-telescope-pictures-of-the-universe-169877
 
Description The Professional Life of a ResearchFish user. 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The Professional Life of a ResearchFish user. Presentation and Q&A session to Elsevier's ResearchFish Team.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description This week in Space 
Form Of Engagement Activity A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press)
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Frequent appearances on BBC Radio Tees feature "This Week in Space" . Estimated listenership ~5000 per appearance
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Webb Art-Science Workshops 
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 Series of Art-Science Workshops presented in collaboration with Helen Schell.
Five low social capital primary schools on Teesside.
KS2 pupils saw images from space telescopes presented and described by the PI and made art-work guided by local artist Helen Schell. They took their artwork home and thus engaged with parents / general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description World Science Day Live Q&A with Newcomen Primary School Year 5 children 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact World Science Day Live Q&A with Newcomen Primary School Year 5 children
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description World Space Week 2021 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact I delivered two webinars on "Alien Worlds" for World Space Week in October 2021.

One was for adults and I was one of 4 scientists presenting.

One was for Schools and I was the only presenter. This reached 20 school classes, estimated total attendees 620, in three countries: UK, Netherlands, Sweden.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SsraPgBOqQ
 
Description first commercial Moon landing 
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 BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast, Feb 23rd discussing the first commercial Moon landing by Intuitive Machines, and the development of a commercial space exploration ecosystem.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description school careers event Royal Latin School 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact attended careers fair at the Royal Latin School in Buckingham. Talked to 15 individual school students who were interested in pursuing aastrophysics at degree level or beyond
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022