Why do Outreach?
I have been doing outreach for many years and feel very strongly about involving everyone in science, especially those who say it is too hard or boring. Because that is just not right. Science is fascinating and tells you things about the world around you that are simply amazing. And everyone can understand science. It just needs to be told right.
What have I done?
I have been very involved in outreach for the last few years, running the outreach program for the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute at the University of Central Lancashire. I worked with schools and colleges in the Preston area. I also ran the astronomy program out at the university observatory, in Alston. This is an amzing facility. We ran day sessions for schools and twilight observing sessions for anyone. Though it is Preston so the session often become an indoor event. So we used our dome for showing movies and planetarium shows.
One of the best events I ran was a Science day at the Preston Sports Arena. This was the culmination of a rocket building contest between 6 schools. However, we were unable to to launch the rockets as planned due to gale force winds. So instead there was a talk in the Space industry in the UK (not as fun as launching a rocket but a lot safer!). Then there were various activities, including a show in the inflatable planetarium, getting hands on with the Engineering departments racing car, and measuring solar flares.
I was also an Odgen Science officer, working with an amazing organisation called the Ogden Trust. They have a large network of science officers across the country in schools and universities, promoting Physics to all who will hear. They sponsor a number of amazing events to show children that physics is fun and they can do it. NO matter what anyone else says. They also sponsor a number of students to help with tuition fees.
 |  |
