The Role of the Science Centre – Outreach Programmes that work Gillian Lang Deputy Director of Science Glasgow Science Centre gillian.lang@glasgowsciencecentre.org

UK Science Centres 20 million+ engagements each year 2 million as part of a structured school group school students spend 80% of their waking time out of school, young people say, although they received careers advice from a variety of sources, family was the most common and most useful Typical feedback ‘89% of students said the molecular biology workshop experience had increased their interest in science and 95% felt it increased their confidence in them doing science’ Data from ASDC - membership organisation with over 60 of the UK’s major science engagement organisations

70,000 visitors annually Glasgow Science Centre in numbers Science Mall welcomes 325,000 visitors annually Over 13,000 Season Ticket holders On Tour engages across Scotland with over 70,000 visitors annually Over 400 groups in the Community membership programme “We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!” George Bernard Shaw Over 70,000 visitors to Whitelee Windfarm Visitor Centre operated by GSC

Why Outreach? To reach Socially and Geographically remote areas To help fulfil Our vision is a Scotland where all people value science and technology to inform decision making, empower individuals and enrich lives. Our mission is to be an essential bridge between citizens and science and technology. To inspire people of all ages to explore and understand the world around them, to discover and enjoy science and understand its relevance to their own lives. “I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Confucius

Socially and Geographically Remote Equality is about making sure that people are not disadvantaged because of a personal characteristic or life experience. Equality is not about treating everyone the same.

Glasgow Science Centre – Outreach BodyWorks On-Tour (funded by GSK since 2008) Exhibits; Science Shows; Workshops; Demonstrations; Drop-in activities In 2015/16 65,098 participants at 273 events, 35% from remote small towns or rural areas 33% of events in areas for the top 25% SIMD. Professional Scientists and Engineers as volunteers at events. Large and small community events such as World Gymnastics Championships and the Govan Fair. Visited all of Scotland’s Education Authorities and numerous tours to England and Ireland. “Active fun way to hook children, allow them to see demonstrations and resources not available in schools” St Mungo’s Primary

Glasgow Science Centre in the Community Digital Making Coder Dojo The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) My WoW LIVE! with Skills Development Scotland Adult Numeracy Community Learning Smoking Cessation “If you want to educate a mind you first need to entertain it.” Walt Disney

What is successful Outreach? We can measure Participation levels Demographics and Diversity Enjoyment levels Intergenerational engagement To a certain extent - knowledge and understanding Much more difficult to measure Deeper learning Impact Public Engagement makes a positive contribution towards our goals but it is extremely difficult to prove causality. “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” William Butler Yeats

Science Capital Science capital is a science-related form of cultural capital. It could be imagined like a ‘holdall’, or bag, containing all the: Science-related knowledge; Attitudes; Experiences; and Resources. that you acquire through life. It includes: What science you know; How you think about science (your attitudes and dispositions); Who you know (e.g. if your parents are very interested in science); and What sort of everyday engagement you have with science. Students with high science capital are more likely to aspire to post-16 science and/or STEM related careers. Science Capital was developed by the Kings College London, Science Museum and BP.

What is successful Outreach? Have a clear goal Know your audience Be needs driven Build on existing experiences Be relevant to their lives Be realistic about impact “BWOT gives pupils the opportunities to hear from experts and to take part in practical activities using equipment that we couldn’t provide” Callander Primary “The resource is invaluable for rural communities who cannot attend the science centre due to transportation costs” Port of Menteith