In the run up to COP26, ASDC in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is launching Operation Earth Phase 2.5 with ten participating science centres and museums delivering Operation Earth activities across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
This follows the success of Phase 2, which saw eight science centres engage with over 91,000 people through a blended approach of remote and digital engagement due to the closures during lockdown. Participating centres achieved this by working with 28 different community groups across the UK, distributing STEM resource packages, engaging audiences on local radio shows and streaming regular virtual workshops for families.
Operation Earth 2.5 will provide training on the latest ideas, developments and research relating to key programme content areas. This new phase will also include training with NERC researchers and wider environmental engagement organisations, sharing with adaptable demos and techniques that encourage inclusive engagement with environmental science, as well dedicated time to build relationships between Operation Earth science centres and local researchers. Key content areas will focus on Climate Change and COP26, as well as biodiversity, clean air and oceans in a solutions-focussed national STEM engagement programme.
In addition to the training academy, The Association for Science and Discovery Centres is running a Climate Engagement Showcase designed to bring together UK-wide science engagement professionals who communicate climate science to demonstrate their climate activities. Register here if you would like to attend.
The following science centres and museums have been selected to run the programme from October 2021 to March 2022:
- Catalyst, Widnes
- Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh
- Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow
- National Space Centre, Leicester
- Natural History Museum, London
- Oxford University Museum of Natural History, Oxford
- Techniquest, Cardiff
- Thinktank, Birmingham
- W5, Belfast
- Xplore! Science Discovery Centre, Wrexham
Follow @sciencecentres for updates on all our public engagement projects