Understanding Science

Abstract

As part of its initiative to introduce and maintain an interest in science at all levels, the UK's Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (PPARC) has awarded funding to a number of ingenious new public understanding projects. Particular emphasis has been placed on reaching those of school age in promoting the Council's areas of scientific interest, and 43 applications out of a total of 180 have received a total of £140 000. Diverse areas are covered by the projects, which include dramatic presentations, new computer and CD programmes for schools on physics and astronomy, visits and demonstrations, Internet access to telescope sites, mobile planetaria and many others. An example of a particular benefit should arise from the proposal by Dr Martin Barstow's group at Leicester University. This will create a number of teaching packages including a Braille astronomy book Touch the Stars, which will be suitable for visually handicapped people. On a similar theme, a project entitled 'Science Watch '96' took place in August at the CLRC's Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. It involved a team from the University of Liverpool and the Hart family from Barnstaple in Devon, and the aim was to see whether ordinary people could understand the excitement and relevance of advanced research, as well as contribute to the findings of a research project. The research involved using ultraviolet light to investigate the properties of new magnetic materials, and was based on experimental station 4.1 of the Synchrotron Radiation Source at Daresbury. The Harts were selected following a number of applications after the project had been featured in the Liverpool Daily Post and The Guardian newspapers, and information had been circulated to schools. The four family members, including A-level and a GCSE student, were very enthusiastic about the chance to do something completely different from normal, and were looking forward to the challenge ahead of them. Project leader Dr Steve Barrett was hoping Science Watch would show that everyone could get a basic understanding of even the most advanced science and see how it relates to their own lives.