Written evidence submitted by Dynamic Earth (COM0044)

Executive Summary

 

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

  1. Dynamic Earth is a unique science and cultural learning resource situated in the heart of Edinburgh. It is the only science centre of its kind dedicated to inspiring visitors, from all background and of all ages, with the story of the Earth. Our mission is to provide an outstanding visitor experience, with associated learning programmes, that promotes understanding of Earth and environmental science in a fun and accessible way.

 

  1. We welcome this opportunity to provide evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on Science Communication resulting from our 16 years of experience operating in this field. Since 1999, we have had 4.5 million visitors of which 1.4 million have been from school and youth groups. In 2015/2016 over 220,000 visitors accessed our exhibition and public engagement activities. Independent evaluation continues to endorse Dynamic Earth as an engaging and inspiring place to visit for children and adults.

 

  1. The Dynamic Earth exhibition is made up of 14 galleries and a 360° dome cinema that introduce visitors to key concepts in the history of the Earth, how we know about it, it’s place in the Universe, the processes that shape it and the evolution of life in different environments. Our unique focus on Earth and environmental sciences provides a context for life-long learning in STEM that has relevance to the daily lives of everyone.

 

  1. A dedicated Science Learning Service offers a flexible programme for schools including a choice of over 20 workshops that meet Curriculum for Excellent objectives aligned to the needs of early years, primary and secondary pupils. Other Learning Service activities include outdoor learning sessions, CPD for teachers, careers in STEM events, a children’s science club and an outreach programme to remote communities across Scotland. We also get involved in UK-wide initiatives such as the current “Destination Space” programme in partnership with the ASDC, UK Space Agency, ESA; since October 2015, we have engaged over 6,000 of our visitors with the wonders of human space flight the STEM behind Tim Peake’s mission.

 

  1. Of growing importance is the role that Dynamic Earth plays in facilitating engagement between the scientific community and the public.  We help universities, other research organisations and industry deliver science engagement at the centre via drop-in activity days, public talks, workshops, “meet-the-scientists” events and careers days. Recent collaborators include University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Moredun Research Institute, James Hutton Institute, Forest Research, BBC Audience Engagement and ESRI UK. Fundamental to this is provision of an accessible platform from which experts can reach diverse audiences, not just those who already feel comfortable engaging with science in more formal settings.

 

  1. Dynamic Earth is one of four science centres that receive Scottish Government funding via the Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor amounting to approximately 25% of our income, some of which is allocated for school transport costs and community engagement. It enables us to run a subsidised Learning Service reaching a far wider audience as a result. Reviews of the Scottish Science Centre network have shown that we help to deliver a number of strategic objectives including a more scientifically-literate society, a culture of science in Scotland and greater awareness of the relevance and opportunities in science.

 

The trends in attitudes to science, and public engagement with science.

 

  1. Feedback from visitors to Dynamic Earth over the past few years has shown a largely positive trend in levels of interest and attitudes to science. Our visitors regularly tell us that they have enjoyed their visit and have been surprised by what they have learned, often referring to “lightbulb” moments of understanding in relation to the way the Earth works and it’s place in the Universe. We attribute this to an immersive, narrative-driven style of communication that is designed to be fun and accessible to all. We have seen a growth in sales of our Explorer Passes (annual season tickets) and increased uptake of public engagement activities that extend the visitor experience beyond the core exhibition. 

 

  1. Requests from the research community to collaborate with us have increased in line with the greater requirements placed on scientists by the research councils and other funding bodies. When there is a tendency to underestimate the resources needed for quality engagement we are able to guide researchers towards more effective projects and offer then a place to engage with an audience face-to-face. An example of another approach is our involvement with the ATLAS (Horizon 2020) project led by Heriot Watt University; our Learning Service will take direct responsibility for developing and delivering some of the outreach from the project to help maximise impact. 

 

  1. In addition to the positive trends evident at the centre in Edinburgh, we have seen a growing demand for our outreach programme (which usually exceeds our capacity to provide it). We take educational activities and workshops to groups across Scotland, focused on community and school audiences in remote and rural locations who would otherwise be unlikely to visit. The programme was originally developed as part of a Heritage Lottery Fund project and is now maintained by other external funding sources. Feedback shows that the on-going nature of our connections with remote communities has most impact. A one-off visit without legacy or follow-up would not be as effective.

 

The balance of effort needed to increase public engagement in science by “new audiences” and by the “already interested”.

 

  1. Dynamic Earth was established to attract “new audiences” and our aim remains to stimulate an interest and appreciation of Earth and environmental science without assumptions of prior knowledge. The larger proportion of our visitors today remain “new audience” (they represent the larger market share) but we cater for those who are “already interested”, many of whom are repeat visitors, by offering a changing programme of events that explore specific issues in greater depth than that delivered by the permanent exhibition. An understanding of the needs of different audiences and a reputation for integrity and accessibility means that centres such as Dynamic Earth are well placed to reach out to both.

 

  1. In our experience, “hard-to-reach” groups require special attention. At Dynamic Earth, we run a community engagement programme funded directly by Scottish Government in which we offer tailored support and bespoke educational experiences to groups from disadvantaged communities who would otherwise be unlikely to engage with us. In three years we have reached 3000 individuals including young people at risk, those in recovery from drug and alcohol abuse, young parents and adult carers. This type of programme requires high levels of investment but has been shown to be effective in offering positive life experiences and a fresh perspective on science for many individuals.

 

The communications strategy being taken to encourage young people to study STEM subjects in higher and further education, and to encourage those towards STEM careers.

 

  1. Aspiration towards studying science and working in science begins at a young age. Dynamic Earth and centres like it are fundamentally places for people, particularly the young, to develop an interest in STEM. We use a multi-faceted approach targeting different groups both formally and informally. Independent evaluation confirms that individuals, school pupils and teachers find their visits to us inspiring and helpful in providing improved attitudes towards science. We believe that exposure to high quality, face-to-face engagement from a young age is key to encouraging children to pursue an interest in science.

 

  1. In response to a call from teachers who are increasingly being looked to for careers advice by pupils, we have introduced a formal careers programme into the Learning Service aimed at challenging traditional and entrenched perceptions of science careers. Our first two careers events (which have involved 20 different organisations from academia and industry and have reached 350 lower secondary pupils) have received extremely positive feedback with teachers confirming this type of event with face-to-face access to young scientists in work, hosted at a centre that is accustomed to working with school groups, has a positive impact in terms of overcoming misconceptions and providing role models so that pupils can see themselves as the scientists of the future. Careful consideration needs to be given to how these events are organised, scheduled and funded given the challenges and associated costs of taking groups out of school.

 

  1. It is recognised that families play an important role in whether children will aspire to study science or not. Centres such as Dynamic Earth, which are designed to appeal to family audiences, are ideally placed to help address imbalances of understanding between generations and can significantly help to increase science capital within the family via both our core learning experience as well as additional, targeted programmes (e.g. “meet-the-scientists” days). In our experience, engagement activities that have components that appeal to children (often with a hands-on, creative approach) but also allow adults to get involved achieve the best feedback.

 

The strategies and actions being taken by Government to foster public engagement and trust of science more widely, and high quality reporting of science in the media.

 

 

  1. We acknowledge the important role that Scottish Government grants play in supporting the sustainability of the Scottish Science Centre network, in particular the Learning Service and community engagement programme at Dynamic Earth. In order to ensure this funding continues to achieve the best outcomes, we also need to invest in our facilities, exhibition and other aspects of the centre. Support from other government grants, such as via the new UK Government “Inspiring Science Capital Fund”, can help achieve this and ensure long-term success.

 

  1. In the past two years, Dynamic Earth has twice hosted sell-out public lectures by Sir Mark Walport, the UK Government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, firstly on climate change and then on energy choices. This type of communication with the public is an example of the way that Government can foster direct public engagement in science, albeit to smaller numbers.

 

April 2016