1. The Role of the Science Centre – Outreach Programmes that work
Gillian Lang
Deputy Director of Science
Glasgow Science Centre

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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