The dawn of gravitational wave astronomy
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: School of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
The aims of the exhibit are:
1) Engage the public in our recent discoveries of gravitational waves and some of the key technologies involved in building, running and improving gravitational wave detectors.
2) Enhance and deepen current widespread interest in gravitational waves, fuelled by recent media attention, and harness it to enthuse the public about science and inspire groups of all genders to study STEM subjects - both at school and in later life.
3) Showcase the UK's research and development contribution to the LIGO project, which has been vital for the direct detection of gravitational waves.
4) Improve the impact of our exhibit through interactive engagement with the public.
5) Improve our ability to quantify the impact made with our exhibit.
1) Engage the public in our recent discoveries of gravitational waves and some of the key technologies involved in building, running and improving gravitational wave detectors.
2) Enhance and deepen current widespread interest in gravitational waves, fuelled by recent media attention, and harness it to enthuse the public about science and inspire groups of all genders to study STEM subjects - both at school and in later life.
3) Showcase the UK's research and development contribution to the LIGO project, which has been vital for the direct detection of gravitational waves.
4) Improve the impact of our exhibit through interactive engagement with the public.
5) Improve our ability to quantify the impact made with our exhibit.
Planned Impact
We will advertise in the Glasgow Science Festival and RS Summer Exhibition leaflets and brochures. We will also extensively advertise our participation in these events through the school webpage, science festival webpage and university social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter. In order to ensure that the events are widely and effectively promoted we will work closely with Glasgow University's public engagement officer for science and engineering.
We will also contact local schools for the Glasgow Science Festival. The RS summer exhibition has dedicated school visiting days.
We will also contact local schools for the Glasgow Science Festival. The RS summer exhibition has dedicated school visiting days.
Organisations
| Title | Sticker card taking people through different aspects of gravitational waves science |
| Description | This is a card with 6 questions. While people are guided through the field of gravitational waves they are then able to answer these questions and for each they received a sticker that shows the answer. The participant can take the card home. On the back is a slightly more detailed explanation of the answers that they can refer to for future reference. |
| Type Of Art | Artwork |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Impact | 74% of participants note an increased understanding of gravitational waves science, ligo and the science and technology related to this. |
| Description | Chasing the Waves shows |
| 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 | Chasing the Waves Chasing the Waves is an innovative project originally funded by the STFC that has brought together scientists, Glasgow Science Festival, actors and musicians for a truly collaborative venture.? This live, musical show tells the story of what has been hailed as "one of the greatest scientific discoveries of the century": the detection of gravitational waves. Discover how Glasgow scientists helped detect these ripples in space-time, which were first predicted by Albert Einstein over 100 years ago. Blending comedy, music, demos and visuals, this is physics as you've never seen it before! Explore a new way of looking at the universe, starting right here in Glasgow. News We are thrilled to announce that 'Chasing the Waves' was the WINNER of the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award at The Herald Education Awards 2017. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/sciencefestival/eventsandprojects/projects/chasingthewaves/ |
| Description | Institute of Physics - Festival of Physics |
| 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 | The Festival of Physics is a brand new festival celebrating the wonders of science, the power of curiosity, and the inventions and discoveries that shape our world and our future. From scintillating science shows to messy hands-on workshops, cutting-edge games, creative talks and much more, the Festival offers something for all ages and interests. The stickercards, and handouts as well as improvements to the Michelson demonstration interferometer and the lycra universe funded by the STFC in the small public engagement grant were all use in this one day event. STFC funded researchers, Peter Murray and Martin Hendry were at this event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.events.iop.org/e/festival-of-physics-00eb9cb4cdbe4650b3193226d3b3a8c5/page.html |
| Description | Inverness RSE ask the expert |
| 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 | Join us at Eden Court, Inverness for the launch of the new RSE@Inverness programme. At this family event, RSE Fellows and other experts will be offering interactive displays and activities, Q&A sessions and short talks on topics including marine science, health and well-being, geology, earth sciences, space science, astrophysics, chemistry, language and storytelling.12.00: Professor Martin Hendry, Exploring the Dark Side of the Universe |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.rse.org.uk/event/rse-inverness-ask-the-expert/ |
| Description | IoP Public lecture at Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a one hour IoP public lecture given to about 40 people in Aberdeen by Marielle van Veggel (PI of this grant). It featured our demonstrator Michelson and the lycra universe (both improved and revitalised using STFC funding) and the stickercards (funded using this same funding) and the new demonstrator pendulum suspension. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.events.iop.org/e/iops-public-lecture-series-in-aberdeen-4a41c843b1f046fea632c5a56d6a840d... |
| Description | Royal Society Summer Exhibition - Listening to Einstein's Universe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The Royal Society Summer exhibition is an annual science exhibition hosted by the Royal Society in London. It annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors (general public, schools, professionals in physics, the media, and policy makers all attend this exhibition. It consists of 22 exhibits. With the UK gravitational wave community we has an exhibit in 2008 and again in 2017 following the first direct detections of gravitational waves. The summer exhibition attracts visitors from around the UK and abroad.The STFC small outreach grant helped with providing funding for part of the exhibition. This included the stickercard on gravitational wave astronomy, improvements to the rubber universe and hand outs. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008,2017 |
| URL | https://royalsociety.org/science-events-and-lectures/2017/summer-science-exhibition/exhibits/ |
| Description | Science Museum Lates |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | In the Science Museum Lates research fields can show case there research in exhibits. This event is for adults only. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/see-and-do/lates |
| Description | Science Sunday |
| 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 | Science Sunday is an event as part of the Glasgow Science Festival run by Glasgow University every year. It is a Family oriented event. Different research groups around the university present their research in an interactive way at a number of exhibits. The Institute for Gravitational Waves has been represented here for a number of years. This year, with this STFC funding and some funding from IoP Scotland we enhanced our stall, with new exhibits: Sticker cards (funded by STFC) for children (mainly primary school age) to be guided through the story of gravitational waves and detectors, and a new double pendulum demonstration suspension (to show how seismic isolation works, and how these help with reducing other noise sources). Existing exhibits were improved and revitalised with these funding sources. The exhibit was visited by the MP of Glasgow North (Patrick Grady) this year. Karen Haughian, Peter Murray and Marielle van Veggel designed and produced the new kit and improvements. Peter Murray organised or presence at this event. Karen Haughian and Marielle van Veggel as well as some other staff and PhD students represented the group at this event. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016,2017 |
| URL | https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/sciencefestival/eventsandprojects/projects/ |