LEGO-LIGO
Lead Research Organisation:
Cardiff University
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The LIGO experiment has recently made the first direct detection of gravitational waves, with key involvement from UK researchers and through significant investment from STFC. The detection received a great deal of interest in the media, in schools, and the public at large.
We will exploit this media interest, and the interest resulting from any future announcement, to build a demonstrator that illustrates the mechanism by which LIGO works, and exhibit it at events for the public and schools. Using a hands-on exhibit, with mechanical motors moving illustrative EM waves, visitors will be able to directly control LEGO-LIGO, and see the impact that small motions have on the resulting interference.
We will exploit this media interest, and the interest resulting from any future announcement, to build a demonstrator that illustrates the mechanism by which LIGO works, and exhibit it at events for the public and schools. Using a hands-on exhibit, with mechanical motors moving illustrative EM waves, visitors will be able to directly control LEGO-LIGO, and see the impact that small motions have on the resulting interference.
Planned Impact
The exhibit will be demonstrated at two STEM events at Cardiff University:
* STEM Live (aimed at Key Stage 3 students)
* STEM Live A/S (aimed at sixth form students)
It will also be demonstrated at at least two events near Cardiff, such as:
* Big Bang Fair (S Wales, March)
* Green Man Festival (Brecon, August)
* Cheltenham Science Festival (Cheltenham, June)
We will also propose an exhibit for the 2017 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, for which this demonstration would be a key component.
The use and evaluation of the activities will be presented to various groups in the field of physics outreach, such as the IOP Schools Outreach Support Network and STFC Public Engagement networks.
The design will be shared with the full LIGO consortium, so members of the international consortium can replicate the activity, and promote through LIGO social media channels.
* STEM Live (aimed at Key Stage 3 students)
* STEM Live A/S (aimed at sixth form students)
It will also be demonstrated at at least two events near Cardiff, such as:
* Big Bang Fair (S Wales, March)
* Green Man Festival (Brecon, August)
* Cheltenham Science Festival (Cheltenham, June)
We will also propose an exhibit for the 2017 Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, for which this demonstration would be a key component.
The use and evaluation of the activities will be presented to various groups in the field of physics outreach, such as the IOP Schools Outreach Support Network and STFC Public Engagement networks.
The design will be shared with the full LIGO consortium, so members of the international consortium can replicate the activity, and promote through LIGO social media channels.
Organisations
| Title | LEGO-LIGO prototype |
| Description | A prototype of the "LEGO LIGO" demonstration model, as produced by Cardiff University MSc Physics students (J. Zamorano-Osorio, V. Silva Neyra). The prototype includes two LEGO Mindstorms to drive "mirrors" and the basic components of a LIGO model constructed from LEGO. A student report on the prototype development is included as the link below. |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | The development of the prototype increased the engagement and understanding of the students involved, requiring them to work with the Gravitational Physics group and learn about the operation of LIGO. Since it is a prototype the model hasn't been tested with real audiences yet. |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7ZDkYLdRh3AUFlEaHFDR1N0Vk0?usp=sharing |
| Title | LEGO-LIGO software prototype |
| Description | A prototype of software required to drive the "LEGO LIGO" demonstration model, as produced by Cardiff University MSc Physics students (J. Zamorano-Osorio, V. Silva Neyra). The software is currently written in LabView, and will run on a RaspberryPi or similar in the final version. It will also be Open Source when it is complete. The software takes an input from a simulated gravitational wave signal and drives LEGO Mindstorms in such a way to move the mirrors in the appropriate way. A student report on the prototype development is included as the link below. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | The development of the prototype increased the engagement and understanding of the students involved, requiring them to work with the Gravitational Physics group and learn about the operation of LIGO. Since it is a prototype the model hasn't been tested with real audiences yet. |
| URL | https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7ZDkYLdRh3AUFlEaHFDR1N0Vk0?usp=sharing |
| Title | LegoLIGO final version |
| Description | A lego-based model of the LIGO detectors |
| Type Of Technology | Physical Model/Kit |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | The model is used in schools workshops for A-level students, and listed as the most interesting part of the workshop by some students. It was also used at public exhibitions and open days, where the visitors reported that it helped with their understanding of how the LIGO detectors worked. |
| Description | Cardiff Science Festival - Museum After Dark |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | A very popular event with many young people in attendance - over 500 people over the course of 3 hours. Showcased LEGO LIGO as well as a laser interferometer and a number of multiwavelength astronomy activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://museum.wales/cardiff/whatson/11002/After-Dark/ |
| Description | Gravitational Waves Planning Meeting |
| 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 | A workshop to discuss the development of an A-level workshop to teach gravitational waves, and to plan the logistics of delivering the workshop to meet the requirements of the STFC Public Engagement Fellowship "The Dawn of Gravitational Wave Astronomy". Participants included lead educators from the National Space Academy. The future involvement of LEGO LIGO was discussed. Follow-up meeting Jan 2019 for GCSE resources. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2019 |
| Description | Star Attractions National Museum of Wales (Cardiff) |
| 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 | This is a regular event at the National Museum of Wales (Cardiff), at which there are exhibition stands from a range of groups. The School of Physics and Astronomy, Cardiff University, features heavily, and presented material covering a wide range of research areas. A prominent topic is Gravitational Waves, with a number of exhibit activities aimed at a wide range of ages. There were many questions from the audience, as well as an increase in participation from colleagues for this sort of event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019 |
| URL | https://museum.wales/cardiff/whatson/9320/Star-Attractions-at-the-Museum/ |
| Description | Teacher CPD - Gravity and Gravitational Waves |
| 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 | Teachers were shown a number of resources relating to gravitational waves. Participants requested information on running the workshop in their school, and were sent the appropriate information, as well as being given hard copies. Sessions normally followed workshops with students, and lasted 1-2 hours, though there were also dedicated workshops (such as the IOP regional meetings). Some of these workshops featured LegoLIGO. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018 |