Category: Outreach

Jess Brown only started her PhD in 2017, but has been an incredibly engaged researcher with strong committment to sharing her passion and experiences beyond her immediate research project right from the start. She joined the XM² Student Advisory Group to represent her cohort together with her peer Emily Glover, and represented Exeter on the BBC University Challenge programme.

Her latest endeavour? Taking to the stage for “Soap Box Science” events in Exeter and Plymouth to inspire the wider public with science!

Here’s Jess’ Soap Box Science story on piezoelectric effects and jelly waves:

Earlier this year, on the recommendation of another female CDT PGR, I applied to be a Soapbox Science speaker in Exeter. On their website, Soapbox Science is described as a grass-roots science outreach organisation that brings cutting-edge research onto urban streets whilst also promoting the visibility of women in science. Inspirational speakers are placed on soapboxes and encouraged to engage in and start conversations with the public about their work. Since 2011, the organisation has expanded dramatically from one event in London with 12 speakers to this year, with 30 events in 8 countries and hundreds of speakers worldwide.

One of the core aims of the XM² CDT is outreach, and I felt this was a perfect way to get involved. Speakers are given an hour on the soapbox, and it is up to them how they use that – planning my talk was challenging but enjoyable, taking a step back to be creative and think about how I would describe my work to the general public and children in particular, people without scientific backgrounds.

Armed with a slinky and a Tupperware full of raspberry jelly, I stood on my soapbox and talked about my research – I gave demonstrations of different kinds of waves, described the piezoelectric effect, and spoke about applications of acoustic microfluidic systems. I particularly enjoyed getting volunteers to help with wave demos – seeing a standing wave on a slinky in the middle of Exeter really grabbed people’s attention! When I wasn’t speaking, I walked around to learn from inspirational women about their research on a wide variety of topics such as clinical psychology, cardiac health, whales, bacteria, DNA and graphene. After a great day in Exeter, I did it all again the following day in Plymouth (the jelly only just survived the train journey)!

Soapbox Science was a really rewarding experience, as it’s a fantastic way to introduce the public to interesting science, while simultaneously promoting female scientists. I would highly recommend getting involved as a volunteer, and other female researchers (at any stage in their career) to sign up to be speakers for future events around the country and further afield!

In spring 2018 Francis Davies, Elizabeth Martin, and Ned Taylor visited Queen Elizabeth’s School, Crediton as part of the CDT’s Metabuddies program to run physics sessions related to metamaterials with a group of year 12 physics students. They led a few different sessions over the course of March, in which they talked about their research and what studying a PhD is all about, and held a physics related Q & A with the students. A particular highlight were the indvidual physics challenges related to the PGR’s research the students could choose from, a data-storage and optics challenge (Frank), a programming challenge to find system energies (Ned), and a mechanics and magnetism related challenge (Elizabeth).

• The programming challenge involved using various maths and physics skills and a computer to solve for the energy of different systems and investigating the use of programming in solving physics problems.
• The data-storage challenge involved using a laser pointer and a CD to find out the number of bits stored using diffraction.
• The mechanics and magnetism challenge involved using various pieces of equipment that were provided to design an experiment to investigate the magnetic force between to magnets and its relationship with distance.

The idea of these challenges was to give the students a taste of what it is like to be a researcher. The metabuddies aided them with the challenge along the way, but it was all about them figuring out how to conduct an investigation and solve various challenges, using the knowledge they had acquired from their taught course as well as their own ideas and general knowledge.

An example of a ‘magic trick’: The Metabuddies brought along two almost identical tubes, one made or copper and one made of paper. Drop a magnet into the tubes and you’ll notice it falls much slower down the copper tube than the paper one. The question for the students was: how is this possible? At first, there were apparanetly exclamations that it was a magic trick! But when the metabuddies handed the tubes over to the students to try themselves, that’s when they really started to think. As a group they explained Lenz’s Law without even realising it! It really emphasized how important the hands-on part of physics is in everyone’s learning.

Elizabeth Martin, CDT in Metamaterials PGR & Metabuddy:  “It was amazing to see the group transform so by the end they were a well organised team working together and bouncing ideas off each other.  In addition to this, the students had more questions about our research and how we came to be doing a PhD in this relaxed setting of doing an experiment in small groups, rather than in a presentation setting.”

Mr Nick Baker, Head of Physics, Queen Elizabeth’s School on the Metabuddies program:  “We have had a very positive time working with the metabuddies. They have been well organised and professional throughout. The students found their sessions engaging, challenging and inspiring.”

Prior Christmas, the Cornubian Arts & Science Trust (CAST) presented a lecture by Roy Sambles, Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Exeter and artist David Batchelor at Helston College.

Roy demonstrated some of the ways in which light and colour may be created. He was joined by David Batchelor, an internationally acclaimed artist whose work experiments with colour as it is experienced in the modern urban environment.

CAST aims to promote participation, appreciation and learning in the visual arts and to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration across the arts and sciences.

The lecture has been organised in partnership with the Institute of Physics.

Soapbox Science is a novel public outreach platform for promoting women scientists and the science they do. The next call for speakers is now open, you can sign up for one of their “classic” Soapbox Science events here.

Application deadline: 23rd February 2018. 

Lauren Barr took to the streets last summer (the Event runs in Exeter every June) and is happy to offer information and advice! Read her story about the experience.

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In addition to their usual events, Soapbox Science’s 8^th year is set to bring innovative, awe-inspiring, and mind-boggling science to arts festivals around the UK. Soapbox Art & Science embarks on its second year of uniting female scientists with artists from local research/education institutions to explore fresh and engaging ways of communicating scientific ideas through art, and testing them out on audiences at arts festivals.

Are you a female scientist who is passionate about your work, and eager to explore your topic in

creative ways? If so, then Soapbox Art & Science needs YOU! They are looking for active scientists in all areas of science, from PhD students to Professors, and from entry-level researchers to entrepreneurs, to take part in this cutting-edge project to

• Help  improve the visibility of women in science
• Develop engaging and innovative ways to communicate science
• Make valuable connections with artists and other scientists
• Engage with people who might not otherwise encounter science

Find out more and apply for the Soapboax  Art & Science events here. 

Application deadline: 3rd January 2018.