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.
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 |