Techniquest - 'Mysterious Moon'
Lead Research Organisation:
Techniquest
Department Name: CEO
Abstract
The overall aims of this project are to:
1. Develop a unique and engaging planetarium show for families and the general public which explores the science and history of the moon
2. Widen both Techniquest and STFC's audiences by engaging people that have little prior experience of STEM (10% of overall beneficiaries)
3. Build science capital for over 4,000 people by delivering a show to families that acts as a gateway into additional astronomy and STEM engagement opportuntiies
Techniquest has an excellent 32 year record of delivering interactive STEM engagement to the public in Wales and has developed hundreds of public engagements shows and projects in this time. With this project we would like to capitalise on the opportunity to engage new audiences with the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. We intend to link this show with special events held at Techniquest during the holidays and summer of 2019 which celebrate the anniversary and are aimed at encouraging visitors from local communities to access the centre.
Science museums and discovery centres have been recognised as having a significant contribution to the science literacy. People who visit are statistically more likely to be science and technology literate than their peers. This makes it difficult to reach these audiences with new shows and programmes of activity. By utilising our planetarium and experienced programme development team to create a refreshed offer along with the draw of a very historic anniversary we are confident that we can engage new audiences for both Techniquest and STFC.
Delivering this project to the general public during the summer and other holidays/weekends means that we have an opportunity to reach whole families rather than just young people and children. This will play a vital role in building the science capital of young people as the science capital of young people is intrinsically linked to that of their families. 'Mysterious Moon' will serve as a fun and interactive introduction to Astronomy but will also explore history and cutting edge science to deliver a unique learning experience for visitors.
We believe that this project will encourage our audiences to continue to build their science capital by engaging with other extra-curricular Astronomy and STEM activities across the country such as 'Dark Sky Discovery', with a reserve nearby in the Brecon Beacons. Our audiences will also have the opportunity to learn more more by engaging with groups such as Cardiff Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association after the shows. We also intend to make an application for the moon rock and meteorite materials as part of the STFC's 'Borrow the Moon' initiative during 2019. This will hopefully become part of our supporting activities to accompany the show.
Techniquest is currently undergoing an extensive refresh of both our in-house visitor & our school & communities' outreach offer as part of a broader re-positioning exercise in order to diversify our audiences. Our sweeping organisational culture change has resulted in a new approach to audience engagement and diversification. Our ultimate goal is to make Techniquest an inclusive space, stimulating the curiosity of individuals and communities who previously thought science irrelevant to them. This project is a timely opportunity to develop a fresh offering for our audiences.
This project will continue to have a significant impact after the initial deliveries with the show continuing to be a part of our programme of planetarium shows for years to come as well as other science centres across the UK with our intention to share the show and its resources with other compatible planetaria via the ASDC (association for science and discovery centres) network. We will also have the opportunity to convert the show into a schools and community outreach show via our mobile planetarium, 'Starlab'.
1. Develop a unique and engaging planetarium show for families and the general public which explores the science and history of the moon
2. Widen both Techniquest and STFC's audiences by engaging people that have little prior experience of STEM (10% of overall beneficiaries)
3. Build science capital for over 4,000 people by delivering a show to families that acts as a gateway into additional astronomy and STEM engagement opportuntiies
Techniquest has an excellent 32 year record of delivering interactive STEM engagement to the public in Wales and has developed hundreds of public engagements shows and projects in this time. With this project we would like to capitalise on the opportunity to engage new audiences with the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission. We intend to link this show with special events held at Techniquest during the holidays and summer of 2019 which celebrate the anniversary and are aimed at encouraging visitors from local communities to access the centre.
Science museums and discovery centres have been recognised as having a significant contribution to the science literacy. People who visit are statistically more likely to be science and technology literate than their peers. This makes it difficult to reach these audiences with new shows and programmes of activity. By utilising our planetarium and experienced programme development team to create a refreshed offer along with the draw of a very historic anniversary we are confident that we can engage new audiences for both Techniquest and STFC.
Delivering this project to the general public during the summer and other holidays/weekends means that we have an opportunity to reach whole families rather than just young people and children. This will play a vital role in building the science capital of young people as the science capital of young people is intrinsically linked to that of their families. 'Mysterious Moon' will serve as a fun and interactive introduction to Astronomy but will also explore history and cutting edge science to deliver a unique learning experience for visitors.
We believe that this project will encourage our audiences to continue to build their science capital by engaging with other extra-curricular Astronomy and STEM activities across the country such as 'Dark Sky Discovery', with a reserve nearby in the Brecon Beacons. Our audiences will also have the opportunity to learn more more by engaging with groups such as Cardiff Astronomical Society and the British Astronomical Association after the shows. We also intend to make an application for the moon rock and meteorite materials as part of the STFC's 'Borrow the Moon' initiative during 2019. This will hopefully become part of our supporting activities to accompany the show.
Techniquest is currently undergoing an extensive refresh of both our in-house visitor & our school & communities' outreach offer as part of a broader re-positioning exercise in order to diversify our audiences. Our sweeping organisational culture change has resulted in a new approach to audience engagement and diversification. Our ultimate goal is to make Techniquest an inclusive space, stimulating the curiosity of individuals and communities who previously thought science irrelevant to them. This project is a timely opportunity to develop a fresh offering for our audiences.
This project will continue to have a significant impact after the initial deliveries with the show continuing to be a part of our programme of planetarium shows for years to come as well as other science centres across the UK with our intention to share the show and its resources with other compatible planetaria via the ASDC (association for science and discovery centres) network. We will also have the opportunity to convert the show into a schools and community outreach show via our mobile planetarium, 'Starlab'.
Planned Impact
As part of Techniquest's ongoing commitment to unique and engaging STEM engagement, the 'Mysterious Moon' project will be targeting areas and communities that do not frequently engage with our science centre and contain a high proportion of individuals and families with low science capital. Many of these areas are those that are considered to be most deprived according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation. Over the past 18 months, Techniquest has built excellent relationships with local community groups, charities and other organisations who have helped to arrange pilot events with new visitors and groups. The feedback has been incredibly positive so far and we will continue to build our network to hold more events during 2019 and promoting them along with our new show, which ties into a landmark occassion. With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the successful Apollo 11 mission, there is an excellent opportunity in 2019 to reach new audiences and open the door to additional STEM engagement opportunities through the lens of the moon.
A best practice model will be disseminated through science centre networks that Techniquest is a part of, such as ASDC (Association for Science and Discovery Centres), and ECSITE (The European Network of Science Centres and Museums). This will also include the planetarium show itself and we are prepared to assist other science centres in adapting the show for their planetaria. We will also be able to provide feedback on what we have learnt from our process of development and delivery.
The online and written resources that we create will also be uploaded to Techniquest's website for everyone to access. Prof. Roche through his various roles, including ESERO-UK Space Ambassador for Wales, will disseminate information on the project. On completion of the project, a final report will be produced and sent to the STFC. The report will also be disseminated to the wider STEM and education sector including: the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and our other corporate and third sector funders. Both the Cardiff Astronomical Society and British Astronomical Society will also be promoting the project to their members and partners at various events and public engagement opportunities.
On completion of the project, a final report and good practice guide and toolkit will be produced and sent to the STFC. The report and toolkit will be disseminated to the wider STEM and education sector including: Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Peter Halligan, funders and any other interested organisations who might benefit from our work.
A best practice model will be disseminated through science centre networks that Techniquest is a part of, such as ASDC (Association for Science and Discovery Centres), and ECSITE (The European Network of Science Centres and Museums). This will also include the planetarium show itself and we are prepared to assist other science centres in adapting the show for their planetaria. We will also be able to provide feedback on what we have learnt from our process of development and delivery.
The online and written resources that we create will also be uploaded to Techniquest's website for everyone to access. Prof. Roche through his various roles, including ESERO-UK Space Ambassador for Wales, will disseminate information on the project. On completion of the project, a final report will be produced and sent to the STFC. The report will also be disseminated to the wider STEM and education sector including: the Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES), and our other corporate and third sector funders. Both the Cardiff Astronomical Society and British Astronomical Society will also be promoting the project to their members and partners at various events and public engagement opportunities.
On completion of the project, a final report and good practice guide and toolkit will be produced and sent to the STFC. The report and toolkit will be disseminated to the wider STEM and education sector including: Welsh Government's Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Peter Halligan, funders and any other interested organisations who might benefit from our work.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Clare James (Principal Investigator) |
| Description | Local partnerships with community groups in Butetown, Riverside and Grangetown |
| Organisation | South Riverside Community Development Centre |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Our research and development team has involved these groups in the project research phase of the project and have invited them to be a part of the piloting phase to provide additional feedback to help shape some of the content and flow of the planetarium show before it goes out to the wider public audience. We have provided the participating groups with free entry to our science centre for helping to support our project. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners have helped to shape the lens of the content created for the programme. We have been able to adapt language and topics based on the feedback of audiences that do not frequently engage with STEM outside of school/formal education and have very little science capital. It has also led to plans for the creation of additional supplemental content fo run alongside our planetarium show as supporting, 'science busking' type activities. |
| Impact | Development of a new planetarium show for public audiences in order to be accessible for a wider audience and build their science capital. Increased experience for Techniquest in engaging with diverse communities and greater networks for engagement within the community. Increased relevance of STEM for Cardiff BAME groups. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Title | Mysterious Moon - new planetarium show |
| Description | Techniquest has developed a new planetarium show is fully scripted, and has recorded audio / video content. The show is between 20-25 minutes in length and has been developed with a view of showing the history of lunar exploration, launching in line with the 50th anniversary of the original moon landing in 2019. The show has been developed with input from a variety of audiences, and launched in the summer of 2019 at Techniquest. |
| Type Of Technology | Software |
| Year Produced | 2019 |
| Impact | The show has led to additional development projects for Techniquest's planetarium. There was a renewed interest in experimenting with new shows for the public and schools and the project offered the opportunity for new team members to contribute to development, which we were able to put to use on other shows. |