SCIENCE SPECTACULAR REPORT 2017 Absolutely amazing! So many fascinating experiments with interested and interesting people explaining it. Unbelievable to get so much inspiration and high quality science aimed at children and interesting for adults, all for free. Science Spectacular Visitor The Manchester Science Festival is an annual eleven- day programme of events held throughout the City and Greater Manchester. It aims to create a place for innovative, surprising and meaningful experiences, where people of all ages can ignite their curiosity in science. Staff and students from The University of Manchester contributed to the Festival and for the seventh consecutive year with a small co- ordinating group organising a key event, Science Spectacular. The event was held from 10am - 4pm on 21 October 2017 in the Whitworth Hall and Manchester Museum where families could explore interactive exhibits and take part in science and engineering challenges. Science Spectacular has been evaluated for the last five years and 2017 s event was just as successful as previous years in engaging a large number of visitors, mainly families, from across Greater Manchester and beyond. All those who took part enjoyed the experience and thought it was an amazing, fun and inspiring day where they all learnt about science and engineering together. This is evident in the images from the day. FACTS AND FIGURES 2,057 people attended the event 54% visitors came from Manchester 39% visitors came from other areas of Greater Manchester 180 researchers took part 39 stands (50% were new to the event): - 16 stands from Faculty of Science & Engineering - 18 stands from Faculty of Biology, M edicine & Health - 3 stands from partner organisations - CRUK, British Heart Foundation & the University of Liverpool - 1 student society - 1 Library Department (Digilab) 1 Photography exhibition 6 University student ambassadors 9 University volunteers 4 Manchester Science Festival volunteers 16 science buskers 1
What the visitors said Best festival ever! Whew! I got my breath back! Sooo interesting! Young Science Spectacular Visitor Visitors of all ages were asked to post what they thought of the day and what they had learnt on graffiti walls both in the Whitworth Hall and in Manchester Museum. 230 comments and drawings were posted on the walls. Most spoke of a fun, amazing and inspiring day with slime, DNA necklace, the tornado machine and moon rocks being mentioned more frequently. There were also 44 drawings from children illustrating the highlight of their day. Three comments specifically mentioned how friendly staff and students were and how well they explained their activities. When asked what they were taking away from their visit, most adults and older young people felt that Science Spectacular had inspired their children (and themselves) to learn more about science. What the stall holders said @jmriode: Really enjoyed taking part of Science Spectacular today and get to explain our research to toddlers and grown ups! @UoMEngage @McrSciFest @NHSat70: We really enjoyed being part of #MSF17 #ScienceIsSpectacular @McrMuseum talking to people of all ages about the NHS, it's history and future https://twitter.com/manmedmuseum/status/921689652687405058 Stall holders in the Whitworth Hall felt that it was not as busy as in previous years but welcomed the opportunity to spend longer quality time with visitors. The representative from the British Heart Foundation was delighted to have been part of the event and commented that she had lots of conversations with visitors of all ages. Her only regret was not having time to visit other stalls and see what they were doing. What the tweeters said Most Twitter posts related to having a fantastic day meeting scientists and being inspired with new ideas about science for example: @purplehoobie: "We loved meeting real scientists like Tara! #ScienceIsSpectacular @jnyrose: Tornadoes, robots and flies. Another smash hit of a #sciencespectacular thanks @UoMEngage and everyone involved! @StaceyMcG_x: Great day at @McrMuseum. Really engaged my girl's love of science! 2nd in the Meteorite Hunt!@UoMEngage @McrSciFest #msf17 #womeninscience @JodegJo: Had a great morning at #ScienceIsSpectacular in Manchester Museum @McrMuseum. Collected some CU hours while we were there @SacredHeartCPS1 See more comments from our stall holders and visitors in our Science Spectacular storify 2
EVALUATION OF SCIENCE SPECTACULAR: METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS The evaluation comprised: 1. Asking visitors for their thoughts via a graffiti wall Visitors were asked what they thought of the day and what they had learnt. 230 post- It notes were filled out by visitors of all ages. All comments were positive with: 20% were expressed as drawings 36% mentioned a specific activity with the most mentioned being slime, DNA necklaces, moon rocks, the tornado machine and robots I l earnt t hat m eteors are made of metal as I the DNA necklace well as rock 25% said the event was fun, inspiring and amazing WoW! We had a fabulous day and learnt a lot. What am amazing day out. So may Great for 4, 8 and 42 year olds! activities, a fantastic way to engage Great experiments. children in science. Thanks Our 3 year old and 6 year old both loved it! 17% mentioned learning and retold key messages about science Graphite Is difficult to make it thinner It s a cheap and abundant resource We have 60% the same DNA as a It s the strongest material ever d iscovered mushroom! It s incredibly light weight and flexible 2. Asking adults / young people over 16 about their visit using selection counters In response to the question - What are you taking away from your visit to Science Spectacular? adults and young people over 16 were asked to use counters to select a statement they agreed with from: o I am more aware of the relevance of scientific research in my everyday life o It encouraged us all to experience science together o It inspired my children (and me) to learn more about science J 3
342 counters were used and: 29% agreed that Science Spectacular encouraged them all to experience science together 42% felt the event inspired their children (and themselves) to learn more about science 29% thought it made them more aware of the relevance of scientific research in their everyday life. 3. Monitoring where visitors came from using postcode data (see Appendix A) 458 groups/individuals gave the first part of their postcode. 54% came from Manchester with half coming from Moss Side, Fallowfield, Chorlton and Ardwick. 39% of the groups/individuals came from other Greater Manchester authorities with Stockport being the most popular as in previous years. The number of visitors from outside Greater Manchester varied from Edinburgh in the north to Bromley, Kent in the south. 4. Using the Twitter hashtag #ScienceIsSpectacularBecause The Twitter hashtag #ScienceIsSpectacularBecause was used by researchers, organisers and visitors to post their thoughts during the event. It also formed a record of the preparations and experiences of everyone involved. 5. Using Facebook to promote the event Facebook was used to promote Science Spectacular for the first time. It had 38 Went and 280 Interested responses. Note: Science Spectacular was highlighted as a key family fun activity by the Manchester Science Festival organisers and featured in the Festival launch. The official evaluator for the Manchester Science Festival also attended as part of the Festival s overall evaluation. POST EVENT ARTICLES UoM Social Responsibility Newsletter, Oct 2017: Seventh Science Spectacular success http://www.socialresponsibility.manchester.ac.uk/news/october- 2017/seventh- science- spectacular- success/ MRC Engagement Highlights, Oct 2017: Behind the scenes at the Manchester Science Spectacular - 2017 https://www.mrc.ac.uk/about/getting- involved/engagement- highlights/behind- the- scenes- at- the- manchester- science- spectacular- 2017/ Engagement Matters Blog, Nov 2017: Volunteering at public engagement events http://www.engagement.manchester.ac.uk/blog/?p=3198 RECOMMENDATIONS Consider grouping together or specifically labelling activities that are as suitable for particular age ranges such as under 5s. Review how visitor flow into the Whitworth Hall might be improved. Explore further how to effectively use Facebook to promote the event. 4
APPENDIX A: Postcode Data POSTCODE No. POSTCODE No. MANCHESTER GREATER MANCHESTER M4 Ancoats 1 SK (Stockport) 57 M5 Salford 1 WN (Wigan/Leigh) 4 M8 Crumpsall/Cheetham Hill 12 BL (Bolton) 38 M9 Harpurhey 8 OL (Oldham) 25 M11 Clayton, Beswick 3 TOTAL (as %) 27% M12 Ardwick 11 M13 Ardwick/Rusholme 21 NORTH WEST M14 Moss Side/Fallowfield 44 FY (Blackpool) 2 M15 Hulme 5 WA (Warrington) 30 M16 Whalley Range/Old Trafford 20 CW (Crewe) 4 M18 Gorton 4 PR (Preston) 11 M19 Burnage 6 CH (Chester) 7 M20 Didsbury 17 LA (Lancaster) 1 M21 Chorlton 23 TOTAL (as %) 12% M22 Wythenshawe 2 M23 Baguley/Brooklands 10 OTHER M24 Middleton/Chadderton 4 ST (Stoke on Trent) 5 M25 Prestwich 9 S (Sheffield) 1 M26 Radcliffe 1 BB (Blackburn) 3 M28 Worsley 2 HD (Huddersfield) 3 M30 Eccles 3 LL (Llandudno) 1 M32 Stretford 4 YO (York) 1 M33 Sale 15 BR (Bromley, Kent) 2 M34 Denton/Audenshaw 8 B (Birmingham) 4 M38 Little Hulton 2 EH (Edinburgh) 2 M40 Miles Platting/Moston 3 L (Liverpool) 9 M43 Droylsden 3 NN (Northampton) 1 M44 Irlam 1 SY (Shropshire) 1 M45 Whitefield 3 NG (Nottingham) 1 TOTAL (as %) 54% TOTAL (as %) 7% 5