Chemistry Outreach

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Chemistry Outreach Promotion of Science
inspire motivate youngsters to follow
science/chemistry through school and onto
University ( to maximise the academic potential
of the students)
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Outreach - aims

• To provide a sustainable inspiring portfolio of
  opportunities for 1y 2y school students,
  teachers and the general public to engage in
  chemistry/science outreach activities.
• To increase focus on pupils at an earlier stage
  in their schooling (Key Stages 14) so that they
  are better informed prior to the key decision
  points in their schooling (e.g. Years 6, 8, 10
  12).
• To interface with the UG admissions team to
  maximize applications from well-qualified
  Chemistry students.
• To work effectively with colleagues in other
  universities regionally nationally to share
  best practices maximize impact.

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06/07 some highlights

• 1 day Creating the Future Science Conference
  (350 Year 10 students) Chemistry, Physics,
  Maths (Turner Sims Concert Hall)
• Science Engineering Family Day (2100 visitors)
  NSEW March 2007 hands-on activities
• Chemistry practical taster days for groups of
  students in Years 5/6, 8, 10 and 11
• Creative Chemistry hands-on 1-day event for
  Yr 8, Intech Science Discovery Centre, Winchester
  collaboration with Royal Society of Chemistry
  and Universities of Oxford, Reading, Surrey
  Sussex
• Chemistry Practical Twilight Sessions natural
  product extraction analysis - for post-16
  Chemistry students
• IDECAT Nobel Event VC link to Lyon (Sept 06)
  associated Q/A session, talks demos
• Work Shadowing in Chemistry individual post-16
  students shadow PGs/PDRAs in the research labs
  for 1 day (snapshot of a day in the life of a
  researcher) also demo talk, tour of dept. etc.
  Very popular among students serious about
  chemistry and related sciences.

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IDECAT resources activities

• Development of workshop materials associated with
  the themes of Catalysis Sustainable
  Production (Dr Jerome Moulin p/time JanApril
  07)
• Leaflets posters
• Video clips
• Plastics from potatoes practical activities
• Solar energy and fuel cells practical
  activities
• Catalysis demos practical activities
• Handouts freebies

Key considerations must be interactive, safe,
portable flexible (can take to schools with
limited facilities or use in house). Some
additional funding from RCUK to present at the
UoS Science Engineering Family Day March 07.
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Family Day March 07
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IDECAT (cont.)

• Delivered as hands-on lab-based workshops with
  groups of 15-20 14/15 year olds - March 07
  (typically split into 2 smaller groups)
• Repackaged for University Science Engineering
  Family Day March 07 (2100 visitors from
  toddlers to seniors!) delivered by staff,
  PDRA, PG and UG students (also planned for March
  2008)
• Delivered as a shorter lab-based workshop within
  our annual Science All Around Us science day
  for 220 junior students (ages 9-11) teachers -
  June 07
• Elements of the resources have been used in a
  range of other outreach events (workshops for
  groups of 12/13 year olds, demo talks to school
  pupils in all age groups).
• IDECAT Nobel Event VC link to Lyon event (Sept.
  06)

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Resources available at http//www.soton.ac.uk/ch
emistry/IDECAT/index.html For other info on
renewable and sustainable resources
see http//www.chemsoc.org/networks/learnnet/insp
irational/ http//www.minihydrogen.dk/catalog/lea
rn.php http//www.vegware.co.uk/products/cutlery.h
tml
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Curriculum developments- to motivate University
Chemistry students help them to achieve
their full potential

• Review of UK post-16 school Chemistry content
• Introduction of
• Welcome to Southampton web-site with
  e-resources (available to new students at
  confirmation)
• virtual tour of School (labs)
• a day in the life profiles from 1st Year
  students
• A level survey (knowledge confidence levels on
  various topics)
• Introduction of new exercises during induction
  period ( new lab induction session in Wk 1)

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Curriculum developments (cont.)

• Development introduction of on-line revision
  reinforcement resources quizzes, videos (mainly
  focused on revision from school and consolidation
  of Year 1 material)
• Purchase of electronic zappers (personal
  response systems) - being used in 1st Year
  teaching (in class exercises, surveys, quizzes
  etc), increasingly within the outreach
  programme
• Outreach for undergraduates (careers for
  chemists, cutting-edge research presentations
  what the future holds)
• Curriculum review in Chemistry.

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Thoughts for the future

• Increased use of zappers in interactive public
  debate/discussions and quizzes e.g. pros cons
  of biofuels
• Develop more practical activities e.g. making
  using biofuels
• Framework Programme 7 call Support to outreach
  and communication in nanotechnology (28th Feb.
  2008)

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NMP-2008-1.1-2 Support to outreach and
communication in nanotechnology
Technical content/scope The proposed support
action(s) should aim at informing a broad public
about nanotechnology (e.g. as a series of
citizens conference in most (if not all) EU
Associated States, a dedicated programme using
multimedia support, a handbook, an educational
'nano-kit' or other appropriate solutions). The
proposed action(s) should present nanotechnology
in a balanced way, including challenges or
critical aspects where appropriate, so as to
provoke a sound, science-based dialogue.
Feedback mechanisms for opinions on
nanotechnology should be included and analysed
according to regional, demographic or cultural
differences. A focus on one or more
nanotechnology sub-areas which are most
interesting or relevant for the public is
possible. An interaction with local, regional
or national authorities, science organisations,
NGOs and other stakeholders can be considered,
where this is relevant. A product dedicated
specifically to children and younger people with
the objective of attracting their interest to
nanotechnology and its research would also be
eligible.
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Funding scheme Coordination support actions
aiming at supporting research activities. Specifi
c features Several CSAs with different foci
could be funded under this call. Duration, number
of partners and budget can differ substantially
depending on the content objectives. Expected
impact (i) contribute effectively in raising
the awareness of Europe's citizens on
nanotechnology (ii) support the activity of
various stakeholders researchers,
industrialists, investors, museums /or schools
(iii) enhance support to good governance in
nanotechnology (iv) contribute to the
implementation of the European Commissions
Action Plan for Nanotechnology.
Deadline 24 April 2008 at 17.00.00 (Brussels
local time)