Night at the Vet College: Growing Up! Evaluation Report Autumn 2015
With thanks to funders:
Responses to the question: What was the highlight of the event? Answers written on postcards on exit, n= 80. Image created using Tagxedo; words are proportional to their occurrence. 1
Contents
1. Aims of Evaluation 2. Event Context 2.1 Aims 2.2 Objectives 2.3 RVC staff 2.4 Advertising 2.5 Web page 3. Event 3.1 Live events 3.2 Stand descriptions 4. Impact 4.1 Public 4.1.1 Who was there? 4.1.2 Where had they come from? 4.1.3 Why were they there? 4.1.4 What did they do? 4.1.5 What did visitors think of RVC Lates? 4.1.6 How did RVC Lates change visitor attitudes? 4.2 Staff
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5. Recommendations
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6. Conclusions
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2 Report compiled by Dr Grace Sim
1. Aims of evaluation This evaluation report aims to summarise the impact of the public engagement event ‘Night at the Vet College: Growing Up!’ which took place on Wednesday 11th November 2015. This is RVC’s sixth late opening event for the public. Evaluation aims to: • Document progress since the inception of Lates events (November 2012) • Provide evidence to meet requirements of funders • Collate evidence about the impact of the event for visitors, students and RVC staff • Provide insight to inform future RVC Access strategy
Evaluation Process
Event evaluation
RVC staff feedback
Debrief meeting
• Visitors completed postcard feedback form on exiting RVC • Visitors were emailed an e-survey the day after the event
• RVC staff and students completed an online survey
• Final report produced following debrief meeting to incorporate staff viewpoints
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2. Event Context 2.1 Aims ‘Night at the Vet College: Growing Up!’ took place on Wednesday November 11th 2015, from17302200, on the Camden Campus at the Royal Veterinary College, London. It is the sixth RVC late opening event; the first was initiated in November 2012 by former Widening Participation Officer James Cannon. Events have grown from attendance of 150 up to the most recent event which saw 825 tickets booked. Our aims are based on our evaluation framework, incorporating RVC and funder objectives: • Skills: To provide opportunities to try out new skills or develop existing skills related to bioscience and veterinary research such as using microscopes and blood pressure monitors • Place: To highlight the cutting edge research at RVC • Emotion: To offer visitors a positive experiences of taking part in biosciences and veterinary related activities such as speaking to researchers and participating in shows and demonstrations • Attitudes: To understand the relevance of biosciences and veterinary research to real life, both for humans and animals, and to have an appreciation of the creativity and diligence in the work of veterinary professionals • Knowledge: To understand current examples of research projects which investigate and provide insight into bioveterinary sciences and related topics Grateful thanks goes to the Animal Care Trust, Biochemical Society and Physiology Society for their financial support of this event. 2.2 Objectives • • • • •
Skills: Provide 10 stands which include hands-on elements for visitors to develop new skills or practice existing skills. Place: Offer tours of the RVC site in addition to making use of our lightwell and dissection areas, to showcase the resources at RVC. Emotion: Deliver one dissection and one lecture per event at minimum. We will work with Student Ambassadors and researchers to make the atmosphere welcoming and friendly, and activities understandable at a range of levels. Attitudes: There will be RVC staff at each event, to offer visitors the chance to make personal connections with veterinary professionals and form positive attitudes. Staff would be briefed on effective and positive public engagement. Knowledge: Visitors will be able to learn about the research at RVC through research stands, demonstrations and shows, as well as thinking about the creative links by visiting our anatomy museum and meeting artists
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2.3 Staff
The following staff were involved in the event, in addition to the RVC Access Team- see table below. Angela Poole (IT) and Robert Crosland (Press release) provided support before the evening. Grateful thanks to all involved on the evening and during the lead-in time.
Reception
1. AVS 2. Anatomy Museum 3. Guided Tours
Lucie Stratton (DDA) Aaron Lee Morris Jade Johnson Jess Timmins Rebecca Norton Daniel Newnham Katherine Lowe Hannah Battersby Jade Johnson
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Activity
Staff
Evolution simulation game
Dr Denis Larkin Dr Nadja Ruvinsky Paul Christian Dina Tandon Deborah Waller Professor Andy Pitsilides Hanja Dickinson Dr Michael Doube Dr Isabel Orriss Paul Pollard
4. Bolton’s Park Farm 5. Royal Institution 6. Inside Out Bones
7. Beaumont Sainsbury Animal Hospital 8. Animal Ages 9. Robugtix 10. Animal Scene Investigation 11. Anatomy at RVC/Dissection room intro 12. Pathology Museum
Angela Holder Michelle Reeve Dr Henny Martineau Dr Alex Stoll Claire Willis Charlotte Dawson Jade Kadhim Sophie Offer Anisha Tailor Michael Haynes
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Activity 13. Animal Development and Lego
14. RVC Access The Biochemical Society (reception) Evaluation Animal Care Trust Lightwell Great Hall Lecture Dissection- Anatomy Lecture Theatre Videoconferenced dissection 21.15-21.45 Pub Quiz
Photography Catering Security Accessibility Music and social media Assistant Co-ordinator Co-ordinator
Staff Dr Claire Russell Dr Siobhan Bearder Dr Virginia Brickell Dr Priya Landa Dr Catherine Gaskin Nicola Kober Raya Nenova Rachel Burnett Samantha Da Silva Megan Harman Isi Adeola Isi Adeola Tammy Shadbolt Andrew Crook Sarah Nicoll Soumen Bhowmik Richard Evans Rachel Styles Dillon Brown Kate Doyle and team Dave Sherlock Jones Oliver Siddons Camden catering team Winston Edwards and team Lucie Stratton Richard Evans Isi Adeola Dr Grace Sim
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2.4 Advertising The event was advertised via the Press association therefore listings appeared in the Evening Standard What’s on guide, Time Out, and via Twitter and Facebook. The Biochemical Society, the Society of Biology and the Physiological Society tweeted about the event. Eventbrite was used to manage bookings. This had the advantage that adverts were also generated to Eventbrite members. The service is free of charge and allows attendees to be emailed by the event co-ordinator. Education contacts were emailed, and alumni were sent news of the event. In addition, we emailed course leaders of biological sciences courses at a range of universities, and encouraged them to send students. We advertised via magazine websites such as isciencemag, Imperial College’s science magazine.
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2.5 Booking tickets Tickets were booked via Eventbrite. The chart below shows the ticket booking progress across 3 months prior to the event. Daily page view spikes correspond with social media posts about the event.
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3. Event 3.1 Live events The table below shows the live events which took place.
Time
Event
18.00-18.30 Great Hall
Good cells, bad cells and the story of the Tasmanian devil… Cells are born, cells travel, reproduce, have jobs and die. Some cells are good and some cells turn bad… Vet Dr Tammy Shadbolt takes you on a journey into this microscopic world and explains how understanding cells might be key to helping save the unique Tasmanian Devil from a contagious cancer and imminent extinction.
19.00- 20.00 Anatomy Lecture Theatre
Dissection demonstration Andrew Crook MBE shows how animals change and develop as they get older in our popular dissection demo. Limited seating- first come first served, sign up at reception.
21.15-21.45 Haxby Bar
Pub Quiz! Questions based on the activities you’ve tried out! Come along to have fun and maybe even win a prize…
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3. Event 3.2 Activities The map below shows the activities on the night.
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4. Impact 4.1 Public Public impact will be considered under the following questions, in order to characterise the audience and provide information on which to decide future public engagement event planning.
• Who was there? • Where had they come from? • Why were they there? • What did they do? • What did they think of it? • How did it change their attitudes?
Methods Visitor responses to the event were gathered using two methods, with a range of closed and open question types: a)
A postcard survey on exiting the event. This survey was designed to gather demographic information and to give space for open responses to three questions; the event highlight, recommendations for improvement, and what surprised visitors about the event. Answers provided formative information about how to improve the event, and summative information about the novel aspects. 120 postcards were completed.
b)
An online survey sent to all attendees further explored how the event had met aims. Further demographic information was collected. 56 surveys have been completed to date (27.11.2015).
Qualitative and quantitative data will be presented to demonstrate progress compared to previous events, and to show the extent to which the event aims have been successfully met. 12
4.1.1 Who was there? The following data are results from questions which were asked using the postcard exit survey, n=88. 825 tickets were booked, and 384 groups of visitors attended. This is compared to 698 tickets booked in April 2015. We had previously thought we had reached a plateau at approx. 700 tickets booked, however it appears that booking numbers are still snowballing.
New audiences
42% of visitors who responded to the e survey had never visited RVC before. This is reduced compared to previous figures of approx 50%. We are gaining a number of re-visiting attendees, which could explain this decrease.
%
Ages of attendees 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0
2014 2015
0-11
-17
-25
-35
-45
-55
-65
-75
-85
Age groups
The majority of visitors were 11-17. Previously, there was a clear dip between 25 and 35, therefore we decided to grow this segment by targeted posts on facebook.
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4.1.1 Who was there? The following data are results from questions which were asked using the postcard exit survey, n=120.
Occupations
The largest sector of Night at the Vet College were students. Based on feedback from previous events, we had promoted the event to RVC and University of London students as it was recognised that the content is ideal for a range of biomedical sciences students. We hope that raising awareness of RVC amongst undergraduates will increase the perception of RVC as a postgraduate study option. There were large groups in attendance from schools, for example Regent’s High School and City of London school. In addition, current students used the event to invite prospective students from their old schools. We also welcomed charities such as Cancer Research, who brought ten people to hear Dr Tammy Shadbolt’s talk about cell division.
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4.1.2 Where had they come from? Event Reach: November 2015 The map below left illustrates that the event reach has increased in November 2015 compared to October 2014.
Comparison: October 2013
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4.1.3 Why were they there? The postcard exit survey asked visitors: what was your main reason for attending the event? This question allows visitors to be grouped by their aims for the evening. In November 2013 we found that visitors could be grouped into those who were: 1. RVC connections Alumni or former employees, or people whose family work or study there wanted to see the site, see if there were any changes, remember being there, and to find out about what their family do all day! 2. Science supporters Some people who work in related industries such as biomedical research wanted an insight into latest research at RVC. They might be scientists, or teachers looking for subject enrichment or career information for their pupils. 3. Curious public Public who did not have connections with RVC were attracted by the unique opportunity to see dissections, and the fact that it is a free event and a new experience. In 2014 we added the following two categories: 4. Fun seekers People who wanted to enjoy themselves by going somewhere new and doing activities. 5. Prospective students Young people who had found out about the event through their colleges or secondary schools. Over 16 year olds attended in groups, some accompanied by teachers, In November 2015 we attracted a greater number of
late twenties and early thirties
professionals, who are regular cultural consumers, attending for a unique event which offers something different to usual.
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4.1.4 How did they find out about the event? The RVC website was the most frequently stated method of hearing about Night at the Vet College.
How did you find out about NAVC? Twitter/facebook Email Previous events
Communication
Friend/family RVC network -Alumni/BSAH Eventbrite School/college/university
PSCI COMM/GEM Other event Uni course site Google 0
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4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
%
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4.1.5 What did visitors think of Night at the Vet College?
Overall, how would you rate Night at the Vet College? Where 1 is poor and 5 is excellent, Night at the Vet College received the rating 4.57 on average (n= 38, e-survey respondents). This is consistent with October 2014, where the rating was 4.34.
100% would recommend Night at the Vet College to a friend, compared to 96% last time. Did you learn any new skills?
I used a hand grip dynometer.
Handled lots of the plasticised animals and organs.
Used microscopes to see mutations of zebra fish. Looked at bones and what makes them up including how they grow.
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4.1.5 What did visitors think of Night at the Vet College? Did you find out any new facts or information at the events? • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Loads! Too much to say. Rally enjoyed learning about foetal circulation in the dissection, and the woman on the pathology stand was very engaging and I learnt a lot Loads, esp in dissection with Dr Crook about differences between a fetus and a baby. we did learn a lot about anatomy of animals we have never seen inside before. such as birds wing lifting muscles are also at the front with the wing depressor muscles and that the tendon goes through a hole. Also learned that DFTD is a schwann cell tumour. I learned new information about Tasmanian Devils and specialisations fetus' have to enable them to survive I the womb and how these change after they are birthed and take their first breath. All about the sheep, bones and the urinalysis it was all so good Yes. I was completely oblivious to TFC as well as transmissible cancers in general. I learnt a great deal about Sheep's anatomy during the dissection as well. Yes, lots. We mainly came to check out the Vet Nursing course and got answers to most of our queries. -Learned a lot of interesting differences between foetuses and adult animals, such as how their cardiovascular and digestive systems change. I found out a lot about spiders! And the Dissection was incredible - very informative and easy to understand. Pathology was particularly interesting. Enquired about courses at RVC for my daughter. I learned a lot about how time is spent between practical sessions and lectures when taking the course and how time is spread across the campuses I found out lots, particularly about the growth of bones and how a foetal cardiovascular system differs from an adult's. Dogs have similar brain sizes independent of breeds Learnt more about animal bone structures and diseases. "I learnt about how zebra fish are used for testing Learnt about the Tasmanian devil and DFT (Devils facial tumour) and how they believe it's spread and how cells are to do with it " Yes it was really interesting, learnt lots from the dissection lecture. "Yes e.g. Changes that animals, particularly ruminants, undergo at a young age such as Passages in the heart closing The event also helped me to think about the uses of animal research to us e.g.the robotic spider and the use of genes using zebra fish embryos" Yes, the embryo anatomy and how many changes occur from just the one single breath of oxygen a mammal takes after birth. There were many new things that we learnt. Also information about applying to study vet medicine and accommodation. "We are able to take away many facts to develop my daughter's extended project at A level, looking at the genetic links of cancer in boxer dogs. We have also been able to take advice on gaining lambing experience ." Yes, was very interested to see the relationship between size and life expectancy in animals and the inverse relationship in dogs. I learnt so much from the stands in the great hall; they were informative and interesting at the same time- particularly the Robot Spider stand. About the fetal changes into adult form Lots, the Tasmanian devil was particularly interesting. Loads. It was really interesting to hear about different research projects. 19 Yes alot about cell biology.
4.1.5 What did visitors think of Night at the Vet College? (continued) Event Highlight
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Excellent specimens, speaking to friendly students Dissection x 34! Anatomy Museum x 2 Tasmanian devil talk/lecture x 11 ageing in animals nutrition info Learning about the bones won last place quiz lol Dissection room and demonstration Really helpful tour! Plastination fun! Dissection of course! Found whole event interesting and useful Interactive stands Info stalls, live dissection ALL Liked all of it The knowledge of demonstrating staff Practising using bandaging and looking at the museums Talking to lecturers in dissection room Seeing lots of parts of the anatomy of different species Anatomy museum and looking around the campus The tours of the museums Joining the Brightside E-mentoring scheme Pathology lab The live dissection-Andrew! zebrafish stand Robotic spider! Gait development x 3
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4.1.5 What did visitors think of Night at the Vet College? (continued) Recommendations for improvement • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Maybe someone talking about some of the specimens for face to face interactions If lecture was a bit longer More activites x 5, more non-student stuff for the public None x 15 Blood and more exotic animals for dissection, Higher Level Lectures i.e. the dinosaur talk! More talks x 3 Little more wild animal biology tasters More nutrition/anatomy info To stop people talking in the lectures/dissection- it ruins it for everyone else The talk was very basic, thought it would be more detailed So much fun! First talk got really interesting at end but way too basic at start even for non-scientists More spaces for dissection Not so late if possible A few more lectures Dissappointed there weren't that many lectures on I can't think of any improvements:) Didn’t like the smell! The smell!:/ More stalls relevant with perhaps vets More on zoology/wild animal biology More talks for folks not in dissection Sign post to Lecture theatre I don't know None, it was great:) Nothing n/a it was great Have more clinical shill stations at the end Being able to see more of the Camden campus More info about accomodation I would like to see more people explain a little bit about the exhibitons. Thanks Slightly later start perhaps as difficult to get from school and still sign up to live dissection Better cameras needed for dissection
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4.1.6 How did Night at the Vet College change visitor attitudes? Will you do anything differently in future as a result of visiting Night at the Vet College? 40% said they found out about career choices. • Just queue up a little earlier for the live dissection to get a better seat. • I am currently on the path to becoming a veterinary student. This event has further cemented my ambitions. • I hope to attend more, but I do wish there was more for career choices as I could only speak to students about this rather than to someone who is actually a teacher or a consultant. • Not go to the lecture again, it was very basic and desperately enthusiastic • Keep a vigilant watch for the next one • I will take far more interest in anatomy and attempt to increase my knowledge on the subject. • Hopefully! I am trying to get on the course for Vet Nursing but I'm in a race against time and might not make the cut-off for applications for the next intake. However, I don't intend to give up trying!! • I am going to do further reading regarding growth in animals as I found the topic highly stimulating. • "Look out for future events at the college! • It may affect my teaching but as it is KS2 - not that much!" • I will bring more people! • Yes, arriving super early to book a place to watch dissection. Was annoyed to discover it was fully booked by 5.15pm! You shouldn't allow block bookings by schools. • I would further consider RVC as a potential university for veterinary studies • I'll link knowledge that I learn in my science A-levels with what I found out yesterday at the college. • Come earlier • I think last year had more interesting exhibits and interactivity • I would definitely add some of what I learnt to lectures I provide students on nutrition and reproduction. • i am considering vet college as a university choice • Perhaps talk to more students and participate with the art section more. • Allow more time as we needed to get a train home. • Continue to gain a variety of experiences to develop knowledge and understanding of animals in readiness for applying to RVC. • Yes, bring a bigger group • Probably not. • More places in the dissection room for people to watch. • My daughter is 'interested in learning more about how animals work in general'. I've always been interested, but I shall look at animals (and people) with more attention to underlying anatomy. • Apply fo become a veterinary nurse and then a sugeon. • Try and navigate my way round the college to get more out of it 22
4.2 Staff Data based on responses to an online survey.
What did you enjoy about being part of the event? • •
• • •
I loved talking to such a wide variety of people about my work, and telling them new things they didn't know about spiders! It was great to be part of a big event that utilises the skills and enthusiasm of a wide range of RVC staff and students. Combining lectures, dissections, student tours, sponsors, farm and research aspects really showcases what the RVC has to offer, not only as an education institution, but also as a leading research centre. A great atmosphere, the people that came seemed really happy and enjoyed the event. It was my first time at Night at the Vet College. I really enjoyed being able to interact with the public and entertain them while sharing my knowledge It was great to meet the students and the members of the public
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4.1.5 Staff feedback
• •
• • •
Perhaps providing visuals on each stand for their poster board, to draw people in (admittedly I forgot to print something out for myself!) The dissection sign up was very fast and left a lot of people disappointed. Maybe when the event is advertised, it could be made clearer that there will be a second option to watch the dissection and see the specimens afterwards, to manage expectations. There was also a bit of confusion as people thought by signing up online they automatically had a place in the dissection. To help further, put both events on the back of the programme so people know to go to LT1 if they did not get a place in the Anatomy lecture theatre. Logistically, it would be easier if the Great Hall could be used for the lecture and dissection viewing, as it was difficult to describe how to get to LT1 from reception and people could easily find the Great Hall. I was doing the campus tours and I felt the meeting point could have been better sign posted (bigger sign) as there was some confusion with the members of the public about where we were. I thought the event ran really smoothly, and there were no problems with the station I was running It was fine. No concerns. It was very well organsised. Well done.
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5 Recommendations and operational improvements •
More talks; at our next event we will include a science comedy element if possible, plus we will have at least two talks.
•
Increase event capacity to 1000. This will be done for the event in March 2016.
•
Address dissection sign up. One way we will limit disappointment is by advertising both the videoconference in advance, and by stating that visitors can attend a Q and A in the Anatomy Lecture Theatre after the event. They will be able to meet Andrew and to ask questions. We will also move the videoconference to the Great Hall to increase capacity, and
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Increase number of stands. We will continue to seek new partners and encourage as wide a range of staff as possible to host interactive activities.
•
Exit signs will be more prominent at the next event.
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6 Conclusions Night at the Vet College: Growing Up! delivered the intended objectives for 384 groups of visitors to take part in activities with the following learning opportunities: • • • •
•
Skills: We provided 10 stands which include hands-on elements for visitors to develop new skills or practice existing skills. Place: We offered tours of the RVC site in addition to making use of our lightwell and dissection areas, to showcase the resources at RVC. Emotion: We worked with Student Ambassadors and researchers to make the atmosphere welcoming and friendly, and activities understandable at a range of levels. Attitudes: RVC staff met visitors, to offer the chance to make personal connections with veterinary professionals and form positive attitudes about a wide range of biological science related careers. Staff were briefed on effective and positive public engagement. Knowledge: Visitors were able to learn about the research at RVC through research stands, demonstrations and events, as well as thinking about the creative links by visiting our anatomy museum and meeting artists .
The strength of the event lies in the collaboration both outside and within RVC. We were extremely grateful for the involvement of partner and supporting organisations, who assisted both on the night and in marketing the event. Within RVC the event gained momentum though not only those regularly involved with Public Engagement but with additional departments who volunteered such as CBS research staff and students. With grateful thanks to all involved. The next event will take place on Thursday March 17th 2016, and will be on the theme of ‘Elite Performance in Animals’.
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We would like to thank all staff and students involved in the event (listed on page 5). With grateful thanks to our funders; The Biochemical Society, Animal Care Trust and the Physiological Society.
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