The Geophysics Group has participated extensively in science outreach over the past two years. In particular, we have exhibited at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London and Glasgow and the Techfest in Mumbai, presented a public lecture for the French Embassy in London, participated in the Buckingham Palace Science Day, and taken part in the Stimulating Physics online project.
In an exhibit titled "Forecasting the Unpredictable", we explained our research on the next likely earthquake and tsunami to affect Sumatra and the Indian Ocean. Exhibitions were held in London and Glasgow and attracted 4615 members of the general public, 517 science teachers at specially targeted evening events, and 1177 VIPs at evening soirees. Our participation was funded by EPSRC, the Royal Society, and UU. As part of our exhibit we developed an Interactive Tsunami Education Tutorial.
Link to the Royal Society 2006 Exhibition here.
As a result of the Royal Society exhibition, Sandy Steacy was invited to participate in an "Anglo-French scientific discussion seminar" sponsored by the Science and Technology Department of the French Embassy. The general topic was "Earthquakes and tsunami: what does the future hold for us?" and the French speaker was Prof. Geoff King of Institut de Physique du Globe - Paris. More information here.
Sandy Steacy, Rachel Cassidy, and Alison Hetherington took the "Forecasting the Unpredictable" exhibit to a one day event at Buckingham Palace. The aim of the exhibition was to encourage young people to study science and it was attended by approximately 850 science students and teachers. Additionally, there was an evening reception attended by about 500 members of the UK science community. This event was sponsored by the Royal Society (more information).
The British Council provided financial support for John McCloskey and Andrea Antonioli to take the exhibit to a science and technology festival in Mumbai. The 3 day event was attended by 30000 students from over 1000 colleges in India and neighbouring countries (further information).
Sandy Steacy is one of the geophysicists profiled on the Stimulating Physics website, a project developed by the Institute of Physics to try to make science more exciting and relevant to young people. Her interview can be found here and more information on the project here.
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