Mercury #14 by Glasgow Science Centre

QUESTACON

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

FULL POWER

A view from Canberra’s amazing Science Centre.

Taking skills development into the classroom.

Powering the Future opens it’s doors.

LIGHTING THE FLAME ISSUE 14

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T S Y L A T A C ING N R A E L

FOR

Dr Stephen Breslin Chief Executive Glasgow Science Centre

Education is at the core of everything we do at Glasgow Science Centre. It informs each of our activities and drives our ambition to build on the centre’s key role as an important source of learning. The Scottish education sector is working hard to improve the take-up of “STEM” subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – among school-children. And that effort is stretching towards secondary school level as well as primary. It is vitally important to the Scottish economy that we encourage more children to pursue these subjects with enthusiasm, and to follow through secondary and into higher education. Glasgow Science Centre will build on its role as a conduit to learning for children and young people – supporting the national ambition for a broader science-based workforce and meeting the needs of the high school curriculum. Many industries are planning to recruit people in the science and engineering sectors in greater numbers, partly because the existing workforce is getting older. Engineers and others recruited during the 1970s and 1980s are approaching retirement age. Their employers – in the energy, renewables and general engineering sectors, for example – need to recruit and train up the next generation of staff.

5 There is also the challenge of recruiting girls and young women into industry. Although the take-up continues to improve, everyone involved knows that this remains a serious challenge for everyone in education and industry. This issue of Mercury takes a look at education from several angles. We report on an initiative involving Glasgow secondary schools, hooking up with the communicators here at the science centre. That is facilitated via our partnership with Skills Development Scotland, who have established a My World of Work hub at the centre. We also take a broader look at that initiative with an interview with Louise Chisholm, who has recently taken charge of MWOWL for SDS. We take a look at the experience in Australia where the national science centre, Questacon, is run by Graham Durant, a former colleague from the early days of Glasgow Science Centre. December’s opening of our ground-breaking new energy based exhibition, Powering the Future, underlines our commitment to education. Developed with a range of partners from industry, education and government, Powering the Future is all about making people more aware of the essential nature of energy to our everyday lives. This is important for children of all ages, and also for parents who are such a significant influence on the decisions their children make when it comes to choosing subjects and passing exams. The challenge is there for Scotland. Let’s all pull together to make sure the next generation seizes the opportunities that science has to offer in terms of good careers and a strong growing economy. ••

For more information visit: glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

Glasgow Science Centre will build on its role as a conduit to learning for children and young people

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T S E QU FEATURE

A focus on the kindred work of Canberra’s Questacon

Glasgow Science Centre has a celebrated Australian “cousin”, and the links between the two are closer than you might think. Questacon – Australia’s National Science and Technology Centre – is sited in the country’s capital, Canberra, and plays host to thousands of school students each year. The centre also runs a major national outreach programme that aims to bring knowledge of science to communities all over Australia. Sound familiar? Yes Glasgow Science Centre has a remarkably similar brief, and is playing an increasingly important role in the promotion of science in education and as a career option for thousands of Scottish students. There is another, more personal link, and that is Professor Graham Durant, a former Glasgow University researcher who played a key role in the establishment of Glasgow Science Centre in 2001.

S S E C C U S FOR Graham has headed Questacon since leaving Scotland for Australia in 2003. It is a role he relishes and one which has some parallels with his previous career. “GSC and Questacon share a lot in common,” reflects Graham. “We produce similar exhibitions and shows. We both pride ourselves in high quality exhibits and really great events programming. “Canberra is smaller than Glasgow, with a population of 360,000, but because it is the capital of Australia, many school students from all over the country come here when they are making visits to the city as a whole, for example to visit the Parliament, war memorial and other major national institutions.” Graham makes the point that, rather than being directly in the classroom developing curriculum materials, the role of the centres is motivational to develop interest in science topics. “We do a lot with teachers through ‘inquiry based’ learning, which is a little different to Glasgow. Very often teachers will have passed exams, but not necessarily done practical work to a great degree, and we can help there.” Just like Scotland, everyone involved in education and employment is keen to promote the “STEM” subjects – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – as that is where the skills and jobs of the future will be. Primary school teachers often need support. Through inquiry-based investigation of the properties of light using science centre assets, the development of confidence and deeper understanding helps teachers greatly.

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We are trying to underline the skills of hands and brains working together. Graham Durant CEO Questacon

Secondary teachers are more likely to be specialised, and rely on a mixture of conventional pedagogy, with content developed via Questacon and partners such as the University of Canberra. Just as in Scotland, there are issues of equality in Australia in terms of social exclusion. “Our best students are brilliant,” points out Graham. “But we have a very long tail in terms of equity of access. We are trying to underline the skills of hands and brains working together. We know that developing creativity and imagination is crucial. Students want to be able to work with IT, do mash-ups, understand 3D printing and so on.” The more Graham describes the situation with young people and science in his adopted home, the more obvious the parallels with Scotland. There too, girls at school can shine in science subjects – particularly biology – but that involvement falls over as they approach university years. Boys still dominate maths and engineering. The gender balance is improving, but slowly as barriers are broken down and new science emerges that appeals to young women. “We do have strengths that other nations do not. For example, anecdotally, Singaporean children often get straight A’s in their exams, but find it more difficult to think creatively. Our children tend to have more imagination and problem solving skills,” points out Graham, “and these are vital skills for the jobs of the future. “Science centres – including Glasgow and Questacon – have a critical role in supporting informal learning. The outreach programmes help young people outside the classroom, in terms of team-work and research. “There is a world community of science centres and I would encourage Glasgow and Scotland to step well into that space. Between us we can connect students and families all over the world. I think that we really can be the multiplier here.

“We work with science centres around the world. For example a recent project linked Australian students with those in China and Singapore to investigate water management issues. It was a great example of what can be done.” Questacon is Australia’s national science centre, and one of 11 existing science centres – of different sizes and scope – nationwide. Another five are currently proposed. As Australia debates how best to improve education – and particularly in the STEM subjects – Questacon has an important role as an advocate of the “informal learning” provided by such centres, as well as museums. The approach also fits with the concept of “lifelong learning”. The parallels with Scotland are plain, and perhaps not too surprising. Graham first arrived in Glasgow in 1977 as a research assistant at the Hunterian Museum. The geology graduate led various projects, including the Crystal Pavilion at Glasgow International Garden Festival in 1988 and the Glasgow Dome of Discovery in 1990. He was part of the team for the Glasgow Science Centre bid to the Millennium Commission, and then played a key role in planning and delivering the centre as Director of Science and Exhibitions. He keeps in regular touch with former colleagues in Glasgow, and retains a great affection for the science centre whose creation owes a fair bit to Graham and the original founding team. Questacon is planning a major exhibition on “Super humans”, the style of which may include more than a nod to Glasgow’s successful BodyWorks programme. ••

glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

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BRAVE NEW

WORLD

FEATURE

An update on the dynamic initiative, My World of Work Live!

Word is spreading about My World of Work Live! The ground-breaking initiative was launched by Skills Development Scotland with the aim of bringing young people closer to industry and their future employers. The aim of SDS is to help de-mystify the world of work for young people, so that they find out more about the skills and expertise that will land them the best possible jobs – and careers – after school, college or university. The initiative is aimed at 10-15 year olds especially, a sign that industry and employers recognise that young people can be open to the debate even while still attending primary school. Glasgow Science Centre has a high-level strategic collaboration agreement with SDS, which has established a state-of-the-art exhibit and learning centre. The project is now in its second year, having launched in April 2014, and several thousand young people have taken part in inspiring activities. Louise Chisholm arrived recently as My World of Work Live’s Senior Programme Manager at SDS. She is clear about priorities: “Apart from the 10-15 year age groups, we also target parents as a key influencer group as children are very much influenced by what they hear at home as they grow up. “We have emerging labour shortages, particularly within STEM related careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and need to encourage more women and girls into these types of jobs as well as increase the number of apprentices” Apart from the Science Centre, SDS is developing partnerships across Scotland, including the National Museums of Scotland, Glasgow City of Science and Highland Council as well as a growing number of private sector companies and organisations. My World of Work Live! operates within the Science Centre, and the next location for the project will see the opening of a Digital Studio and Employer Hub at the iconic old Steeple building in Church Street, Inverness. The northernmost initiative is at the Mareel Arts Centre in Lerwick, Shetland, where a My World of Work Live! presence has been established with the support of Shetland Arts and the science centre. A mobile My World of Work Live! unit has also been established, in partnership with the major construction firm Mitie. “We do want more employers to become actively involved. Apart from building closer links to schools and communities, they are dealing with their employees of the future,” observes Louise. “Today’s young people are those who will be part of the new workforce that will enter industry and take over in more senior roles as the current generation of engineers and scientists start to retire.”

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Key and emerging STEM sectors in the west of Scotland include:

We have emerging labour shortages, particularly within STEM related careers. Louise Chisholm Senior Project Manager Skill Development Scotland

• Energy; • Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Digital; • Creative industries; • Engineering;

• Life and Chemical Sciences; • Financial services; • Aerospace; • Defence and Marine industries; • Tourism.

The various initiatives appear to be working. Feedback gathered by SDS – from pupils, parents and teachers – has been very positive, including: • “The hands-on activities and various workshops/shows were great and in particular the Lego Mindstorms Lab was incredible. Staff are always super friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable.” • “Perfect activity to capture the imagination of my daughter”; • “Right level, good introduction to programming.” • “Challenging, fun, educational. We learned how to programme”; “Kids had fun whilst learning” • “My grandchildren learned more about circuitry” • “It expanded on programming that we had already touched on at school” (two boys aged eight and nine); • “My children realised that there are jobs in computer programming” (about coding). One key factor that visitors find attractive about My World of Work Live! is its colourful and highly graphical presentation and appearance. There seems little doubt that the accessibility of the materials in the exhibition area at Glasgow Science Centre is having a positive impact. The feedback research does reveal that the visits are leaving young people better informed about serious subjects such as science and career options – often difficult subjects for the early teens. One 14 year-old from Stirling commented: “This place is very modern and appealing with vibrant colours and modern technology. It’s interactive and informative.” She particularly learned from the “tests that tell me what I’d be good at” and sums up: “I’ve learned a lot about different jobs. This place is helpful for people who do not yet know what they want to do.” Some of the areas where teenagers really want to work – such as games design – have thousands of vacancies nationwide, and this is happy news for some youngsters growing up with gloomier messages about job prospects. ••

glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

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FOOD FOR

THOUGHT

15 FEATURE

Taking skills development into the classroom.

Pupils at one Glasgow high school are getting up close and personal with science matters through a key initiative involving Skills Development Scotland. The agency’s My World of Work programme, which includes Glasgow Science Centre as a key partner, is actively involved with an increasing number of schools, all with the aim of raising awareness amongst pupils, parents and teachers of the importance of science and the potential for future jobs. Helen McBride, principal teacher of World of Work at Smithycroft Secondary, is among those to be centrally involved in the programme. The school, in north-east Glasgow and with a catchment area that includes Cranhill and Riddrie, is already experiencing the benefits of the collaboration. “We have SDS representatives in the school four days a week. Everyone gets access to the careers service, depending what kind of service they might need. We know the kids, whereas SDS knows where to send them for work experience for example. We get parents involved too,” explains Helen. “The science centre takes kids in, and also comes in to the school to deliver projects right here. So for example we have had the chef, Scott Wood, come in to talk to our home economics students, showing them knife skills, how to work in the kitchen, and so on. “We have pupils working at the science centre. Along with several other schools, the pupils work at the centre though a culinary excellence programme. They work in the kitchens with the chefs, but also learn frontof-house skills at the centre. “This is really important for the children. They learn about the real world, the working world, and it can give them much greater confidence as well as that experience,” says Helen. “The relationship with the science centre, through My World of Work, is bringing us a lot closer. We have pupils from S1, S2, S3 and S4 involved at various levels. The process is well underway, and we are trying to match up initiatives with the needs and abilities of kids at all levels of education.” Apart from culinary excellent, pupils have also had the chance to study forensics, and are currently looking at our energy needs, as part of the science centre’s major new exhibition, Powering the Future. The Smithycroft experience involves various key people, including Ashley Nisbet and Fiona Davies at the science centre and Jennifer Alexander, the school’s SDS careers adviser. Smithycroft is also taking part in the evaluation of a web resource being developed by the science centre for 11-16 year-olds across the UK. And four pupils have taken part in the Glasgow Digital Makers project, funded by SDS and aimed at developing a new generation of young Glaswegians with digital skills. The project includes a master class with science centre staff from CoderDojo Scotland and industry mentors. Each participants receives a new Raspberry Pi – a stripped down computer developed to help young people to understand how IT works. “This is all about encouraging young people to discover science and to understand that it has application across a huge range of career options and learning,” says Helen. ••

glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

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WE HAVE

F F O T LIF

FEATURE

The newly opened Planetarium goes fully into orbit.

You are lying in a darkened room, your seat angled back so that you can see almost all of the domed ceiling above. A specially trained astronomer is talking you and your fellowaudience members through a tour of the International Space Station, an orbit of Earth, maybe a visit to the Moon. Suddenly you are whisked at breakneck speed to a far part of the galaxy. Shooting past planets and stars and through the canyons of space, perhaps through a mysterious “black hole”. This is a dazzling sensory event and it is to be experienced at Glasgow Science Centre’s brand new £450,000 fulldome digital Planetarium.

We can envision any part of our galaxy, and even beyond. Steve Owens Planetarium Manager

“This new digital system is incredible. It allows us to take the audience on journeys and tell them stories we could never tell them before,” enthuses Steve Owens, who leads the specially trained planetarium team of four who run those exhilarating illustrated talks. “Each session starts with some star-gazing, after which we fly off into space. We have an astronomer live in front of the audience who takes us off round the universe. So we can ask which planet the audience wants to visit, where they want to go. And with the technology available to us, we can envision any part of our galaxy, and even beyond. “When you come here and see the night sky and stars they are all in the correct position. You see the universe in grand scale, clusters of galaxies, it is all on scale, based on real data.”

17 The experience is incredibly realistic. Using the latest available technology the planetarium team really can whisk you around the planets, stars and galaxies. The technology is similar to that experienced in computer games, but based on real data. “We can wrap images around our models and have very up-to-date images. The fact we have real astronomers here adds to that,” explains Steve. “We are unique in the UK because 80 per cent of our visitors will see a live presentation. Very often some of the major planetariums are more like a cinema than a genuine planetarium.” As well as shows to the general public, the planetarium’s education programme includes five presenter-led shows and three specially produced films, tailored for children from nursery upwards. At secondary schools the team can ask teachers in advance the stage that pupils are at, and design presentations accordingly, ensuring that there really is something to learn. Special shows can also be laid on for older groups, such as university students and adults, regardless of age or levels of knowledge. “The space itself is awe inspiring,” says Steve. “You can’t quite see the whole of the roof. Real excitement is generated by the lay out, the lighting and music. There is a sense of entering a ‘new’ space. The motion can be dynamic and exciting.“ Part of the show includes a showing of one of a growing number of ‘full dome’ films available to advanced planetariums including Glasgow Science Centre. Today the films are full cinema quality and can be shown across the new facility’s 15m screen. These are mainly covering astronomy, but there is one on cellular biology that is proving popular. Others include: WE ARE ALIENS – a 25-minute animation about life and the search for life. Harry Potter actor Rupert Grint is the voice artist. “The science is rock solid but accessible. The visuals are very good and messages very strong: All about detecting whether other alien planets have signs of life,” says Steve Owens. BACK TO THE MOON FOR GOOD - Tim Allen, the voice of Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear, narrates the history of Apollo missions. “This looks at the current state of moon exploration. Google is offering a £20m prize for private enterprises to complete a visit to the Moon and transmit message back to Earth,” adds Steve. CELL, CELL, CELL! – A biology film funded by the Wellcome Trust, and featuring an animation of the development of human embryo. This is made for P7 and older, basically any student who has received sex education at school. Overall, each show is 40-45 minutes long, including the films. The shows are scripted according to the level of knowledge of each group. At the very least, visitors will take a voyage through the solar system, out of the galaxy and get a chance to see how the universe looks through different forms of telescopes. “We can do something on asteroids, including the belt around the earth and the 1,000 that are closest to Earth. We can create modular content for those special occasions.” For Steve, taking charge of the new planetarium, marks a welcome return after years of freelancing for the science centre. “This is my spiritual home. The old planetarium was a fantastic system. But the opportunities here are incredible. I get to play in the universe every single day!”

glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

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FULL

R E W PO FEATURE

“Powering the Future” launches to add more educational force to GSC.

Your chance to be Scotland’s “energy minister” is on offer at the major new “Powering the Future” exhibition which has opened on the second floor of Glasgow Science Centre.

The £1.5m exhibition, backed by a range of companies, agencies and the Scottish Government, is designed to explain the various sources of energy available in Scotland – hydro, thermal, nuclear and solar power to name just some. The aim is to underline how important energy is to us all, in the home and at work, and to improve understanding of what needs to be done to “keep the lights on”. Visitors flocked to the opening night in December, and it quickly became clear that this is an exhibition that will appeal to all ages. Which is just as well, as that is exactly what Science Director Dr Robin Hoyle, his deputy Gillian Lang and their team wanted to achieve. “Energy is critical to our future,” commented science centre chief executive Dr Stephen Breslin.

“Energy fuels and powers everything we do. The fact is we have to consider an energy mix moving forward, and we enter that debate and try to move away from the polarised point of view that so often characterises the debate about energy. Our approach should rely on the science and the evidence.” Apart from education, the exhibits are a lot of fun. Visitors can feel the force of wind in a hurricane booth, generate power in a danceoff and demonstrate nuclear fission by setting off a box of mouse traps with a ping pong ball. Powering the Future shines a spotlight on the science and technology underpinning the future of our energy supply and is expected to welcome more than 1.8 million visitors during the next five years. With 60 exhibits, there is indeed “something for everyone”, and the science centre team are confident that this will appeal to primary and secondary school children, right up to higher education students and adults. This is the first time that the energy industry have come together to present unbiased information which highlights the challenges we face with our future energy supply. Exhibition partners include the Scottish Government, oil and gas industry skills organisation OPITO, Scottish Enterprise, SSE, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, National Grid, EDF Energy, Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Power Energy Networks and Doosan Babcock.

We want people to enjoy science, and to take home some of the messages we need to get across. Gillian Lang Deputy Director of Science Glasgow Science Centre

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“We have tried to mix hands-on exhibits, things that are easily accessible and get you engaged, combined with bringing in rich layers of interpretation so that people can dig further into the subject if they wish,” explained Dr Hoyle. “There is some fundamental physics in here and already we are talking to school teachers about areas, such as electricity, that can be accessed by secondary pupils, within the remit of the national curriculum.” Dr Lang commented: “We want people to enjoy science, and to take home some of the messages we need to get across. We hope it will appeal to a wide range of audience groups. People tend to remember particularly the exhibits that are fully immersive, such as experiencing what a hurricane might feel like, or a competitive element like powering your own Scalextric car.” The science centre team are developing a UK-wide interactive website, OurFuture.Energy, aimed at 11 year-olds who can learn about the STEM subjects, and hopefully inspired to pursue careers in the energy sector, which expects to be recruiting thousands of engineers and others in the years ahead. The project has the support of partner organisations including oil and gas industry skills organisation OPITO, the leading not for profit renewable energy trade association RenewableUK, manufacturer of enriched uranium for the nuclear power utilities URENCO and the representative body for the UK onshore oil and gas industry UKOOG. The website is also backed by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS). Dr Breslin added: “Scotland is already demonstrating how renewable energy generation will play a vital role in our future power generation mix and this exhibition will help the public understand why we are facing energy challenges, what the science is behind creating energy and what their role in that is. “The OurFuture.Energy website will provide young people with the tools to learn more about the industry, and we hope it will inspire them to consider their potential role in ensuring future generations have sustainable power sources.” Launching the exhibition, Fergus Ewing, Minister for Business, Energy & Tourism commented: “Powering the Future highlights key issues that affect each and every one of us, young and old, from London to Shetland. It emphasises that we need to encourage young people to get excited about the opportunities available to them in the sector and help us find long-term solutions to our energy needs.” ••

glasgowsciencecentre.org/blog

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FOR YOUR

DATES DIARY

Teacher Open Day - Twilight Science Wednesday 3rd February

Educators are invited to join us for an evening exploring what GSC has to offer. glasgowsciencecentre.org/twilight

Professor Sir Mark Walport Lecture Tuesday 9th February

Evening lecture of the ‘Future of Energy public tour’.

The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow Lectures Wednesday 17th February 2016 to Wednesday 30th March 2016

Come listen to ideas fly around at these lectures intended to advance knowledge of arts and sciences glasgowcityofscience.com/events

David Elder Memorial Lectures

Thursday 4th February and Thursday 3rd March A series in the Planetarium at GSC, delivered in partnership with the Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde.

Power Scotland Conference Thursday March 10th

The Scottish Energy Association’s flagship event celebrates its 9th instalment at Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde. wearesea.com/events/psc2016/

Big Bang (Birmingham)

Thursday 16th to Saturday 19th March Free event that gets schools, groups and families excited about Science and Maths. thebigbangfair.co.uk

National Science and Innovation Conference 2016 June 2016

An opportunity to discuss and examine the future of the UK’s science and research base. science-innovation.co.uk

Glasgow Science Festival Thursday 9th to Sunday 19th June 2016

Events at GSC and other venues across Glasgow. glasgowsciencefestival.org.uk

ABOUT MERCURY Mercury is a print and online publication produced by Glasgow Science Centre to promote science issues in Scotland, to examine the factors facing scientists and engineers, and to profile leading thinkers in industry, government and academia.

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