Putting the "Outreach" in Science Outreach

Science outreach is no modern concept - it's been around for years. In the 1820's Michael Faraday organised the first of the Royal Institution's "Christmas Lectures", which continue even to this day. There have always been certain breed of scientists who have dedicated generous amounts of time and effort to the noble art of "popularising science", as it's called. In more recent times, science outreach has become much more organised all over the world, with most major universities and even large organisations like NASA and CERN conducting structured programs aimed at educating the public about the latest advancements in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) fields.

So why has "outreach" evolved into such a buzzword these days? Why does each and every self-respecting university or scientific research facility try its best to dabble in this field? Because it's absolutely, irrevocably, undeniably, essential (notice the emphasis I'm putting there). Essential for education of the masses, essential for society to develop, and even essential for science itself. But is not science an elitist pursuit, reserved for only those brilliant specimens of humanity gifted with superior intellect, unshakable logic, and Einstein-esque genius? Quite simply put, no.

While I agree that not everyone has to spend their waking hours culturing bacteria or solving second-order differential equations, the ridiculous (putting it mildly) idea that science should be reserved for a select few goes against its very purpose. Science is an endeavour to understand the universe around us, a quest to further our knowledge and make our lives better, a search for the most arcane of questions. To paraphrase everyone's favourite nerd Dr. Sheldon Cooper, science is an attempt to "tear the mask off nature and stare at the face of God". Then why should it not be for everyone? And that is exactly what science outreach seeks to address - a way to bridge the gap between those in the laboratories and those who can only get a glimpse of the world of science research.

I mentioned that outreach is essential for science as well. It's one of the best ways to get young people interested in science. Although it probably cannot make people switch careers and dive into the sciences, I'll admit that a tour of an Airbus construction facility or the sight of Saturn's iridescent rings through a telescope are enough to make anyone start wondering. GPS, modern electronics, space probes, cancer medication - all have their grounding in cutting-edge research being carried out by engineers and scientists all over the blue spaceship we call Earth. We live in an age of unprecedented technological and scientific advancement, and science owes it to the public to explain how all the miracles of the modern world came to be. We've come a long way from believing that our planet rests on a conveniently placed colossal turtle, and science education has played a major role in transforming how people think.

Over the years, astronomy outreach has proved to be one of the most popular and effective forms of science popularisation. And it's easy to see why. Astronomy, besides being arguable the oldest science known to mankind, involves trying to understand the deepest mysteries of the universe, trying to unravel objects and phenomena so exotic and bizarre that they seem straight out of science fiction. The study of the heavens has captured the fancy of millions across the world, just like it did that of the earliest civilisations thousands of years ago. It's no coincidence that some of the most prolific participant in science communication are astronomers and space researchers.

Of course, if one is talking about science outreach, one has to talk about its biggest champion: Carl Sagan, the man behind the words, "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known." As an astronomer (surprise, surprise!), he was clearly an individual who loved science. But what he found even more fulfilling was stimulating this passion for science in as many people as he (and his TV show) could reach out to. Cosmos, that magnificent piece of televised artwork, made Sagan a household name throughout the United States and in many countries across the globe. And it probably did more for generating interest in science than all the textbooks in the world put together.

Science education and outreach are, as I've stated earlier, of immense importance. With that being said, I shall end this blog post with one of my favourite Sagan quotes:

Ornithology

Bird-watching is one of my favourite hobbies. I'm quite proud of my collection of bird photographs, and I thought I'd share some of them with you.

So, without further ado (in alphabetical order):

Here they come.

No, seriously.



Black Drongo (Dicrurus macrocercus):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Black Ibis (Pseudibis papillosa):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Black Partridge (Melanoperdix niger):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Lesser Golden-backed Woodpecker (Dinopium benghalense):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Blue-and-Yellow Macaw (Ara ararauna):

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Singapore

Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Brown-headed Barbet (Megalaima zeylanica):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Common Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis):

Taken in Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India. Quite possible my favourite photograph of them all.

Emperor Penguin (Apenodytes forsteri):

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Singapore

American Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber):

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Singapore

Great Indian Hornbill (Buceros bicornis):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, SIngapore

Green Bee-eater (Merops orientalis):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Large Cormorant (Phalacrocorax fuscicollis):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Oriental Magpie Robin (Copsychus saularis):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus):

Taken in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary & Forest Reserve, Karnataka, India

Common Ostrich (Struthio camelus):

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Singapore

Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus):

Taken in Lonavala, Maharashtra, India

Indian Pond Heron (Ardeola grayii):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Red-wattled Lapwing (Vanellus indicus):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Rufous Treepie (Dendrocitta vagabunda):

Taken in Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand, India

Shoe-billed Stork (Balaeniceps rex):

Taken in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore, Singapore

Spotted Owlet (Athene brama):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Tickell's Blue Flycatcher (Cyornis tickelliea):

Taken in Gir National Park, Gujarat, India

Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus):

Taken in the Lahaul & Spiti region of the Indian Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, India

White-throated Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis):

Taken in the Shimla region of the Indian Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, India

Hope you liked them.

London International Youth Science Forum 2013, Part Three

This is my last post on my experiences at the London International Youth Science Forum. In my previous blog entry, I wrote about the various aspects of LIYSF - the lectures, visits to scientific institutions, debates, student bazaar evening, and the museum tours (see my post titled "London International Youth Science Forum 2013, Part One"). However, there is one more highly significant part of the forum that I have not yet written much about.

You see, it was the participants that made LIYSF 2013 what it was. What else do you expect when you bring together some of the brightest students from all over the planet? For two weeks, we became an international community, an international family, as we journeyed together, "crossing science boundaries". Scratch that - we still remain an international family, a group of enthusiastic, committed students across the globe.

The forum had an amazing social aspect to it too. The social and cultural programme included dances, a cabaret, a "Traditions of Home" evening in which participants showcased traditional performances typical to their countries, and optional sightseeing tours in London. More than the events themselves, it was the opportunity to connect with people from various countries, religions, and cultures that made it so fascinating.
It was my favourite part of LIYSF.

I loved how each one of us was so diverse, and yet we were connected, united by our love for science and technology. My fellow participants at LIYSF remain some of the most brilliant, dedicated, interesting people I have ever encountered. What was probably most heartening was that there were no prejudices, no biases that separated us. Making a new acquaintance was as straightforward as walking up to someone and saying, "Hi. I'm xxx from xxxx." No one was shunned, no one was ridiculed. Everyone was accepted as part of this huge community, because everyone had an interesting story to tell, everyone had new experiences and opinions to share.

Whether it was on the Imperial College lawns on a sunny afternoon, or in the Common Rooms at 1 am, I thoroughly enjoyed interacting and networking with my peers and making new acquaintances, new friends. And I think that was exactly what LIYSF was about. The world needs international collaboration, and not just in the sciences. LIYSF brought together students from various countries and gave them the opportunity to form long-lasting networks. And network we did!

I believe that the entire experience at the London International Youth Science Forum 2013 is very accurately summed up in this short paragraph written by one of the participants, who over the course of 2 weeks became my closest friend:
"When you try to describe what made an event special, you are often trying to explain what it meant to you. So, what did LIYSF mean to me? The answer is not just a word or a sentence. It is multifarious. It's a feeling. The feeling that I got the chance to experience something unique, with people around me who felt exactly the same. LIYSF was culture. What else could it have been when people from 60 countries came together? LIYSF was knowledge. It was impossible not to learn anything, listening to captivating lectures about interdisciplinary science. LIYSF was excitement. Every day was an adventure because no two days were the same. LIYSF was courage. I crossed a personal boundary when I presented my own scientific work in front of the whole forum. And LIYSF was friendship. Making friends with amazing people all around the globe broke down the frontiers in my head. Countries that were far away once are now the homelands of my friends. The forum gave nations a face and made me see the world in a whole new way. LIYSF was life-changing for me, I never felt so amazed about being linked to science."

Before 24th July, I had no idea of the impact that the forum would have on me. I returned from London a completely transformed individual, with a whole new outlook on life. After 7th August, I knew I had undergone a wonderful experience and that my life would never be the same.

London International Youth Science Forum 2013, Part Two

My previous blog entry was an overview of my time at LIYSF 2013, and it was intended to give you a taste of what my experience was like on the whole, before I dive into the nitty-gritty of it.

As the name suggests, LIYSF was all about science. Science at an astounding level. The theme of the forum was "Crossing Science Boundaries", and it was centered around that particular idea: the importance of interdisciplinary scientific research and its potential for tackling global issues. The forum stressed the need for international scientific cooperation - knowledge and information should be freely accessible to all, and scientific research works best when it is a collaborative effort.

On every day in those 2 weeks, we attended brilliant lectures on research at the frontiers of science and engineering. The talks were conducted in Imperial College itself, often twice or thrice a day. They were incredibly though-provoking, and were designed to give us an idea of the work being carried out by eminent scientists and engineers all over the world. The discussions at the end of the lectures always threw up loads of interesting ideas! Of all the lectures that we attended, my personal favourites were: "The worldwide race to discover dark matter" by Professor Gianfranco Bertone, a session on "Crossing Science Boundaries" led by Sir Colin Terry, "Medicines for the developing world" by Professor Trevor Jones, "Engineering our lives" by Jameer Emamally and "Cross-over biology" by Professor Lord Robert Winston.

LIYSF would have been sorely incomplete without the programme of visits to various academic and industrial institutions in England, like Oxford and Cambridge Universities, Airbus and Boeing factories, Cranfield University, the National Physical Laboratory, and more. Participants had to choose which centres they wished to visit, and I was fortunate enough to get both my choices: the Mullard Space Science Laboratory and the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. And boy, they turned out to be even better than I expected!

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The Mullard Space Science Laboratory (MSSL) is a research centre of the department of Space and Climate Physics of University College London (UCL). Nestled in the lap of probably the most gorgeous countryside I have ever seen, MSSL took my breath away. It was nothing like what I had imagined it to be - in fact, it was more like a cute B&B than UK's largest university space research department!

The main building at MSSL.

As someone who is seriously considering space science as a career path, I was thoroughly fascinated by the MSSL visit. The first item on the agenda there was a group of lectures, on topics ranging from Solar Plasma Physics to Enceladus, one of Saturn's moons that exhibits strange geyser-like formations. We also visited the Mechanical Engineering and Electronics labs at MSSL, where we could see first-hand the processes involved in designing and manufacturing space probes, and learn about the findings of the ESA's fleet of satellites.

The highlight of the day was definitely when one of the scientists took out from his pocket a piece of electronic equipment that had actually been in space! With the aid of a conjurer pulling out not one, but a bunch of rabbits out of his hat, he displayed it with a practiced flourish and then handed it out for us to see.

How amazing is that?

Needless to say, I returned to Imperial College from MSSL with stars in my eyes (space reference intended). The visit helped me realise that space exploration and astronomy really excite me, and I found a renewed desire to pursue a career in space research.

A couple of photographs depicting the natural beauty of the surroundings at MSSL:

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The trip to the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy was equally fascinating. At CCFE, we saw how physicists, engineers and technicians were actively pushing the boundaries of nuclear fusion technology and trying to make it a viable energy source. Located near Oxford, CCFE was a starkly different environment from MSSL - highly industrialised, and bustling with activity at all times. It was as exciting, however - this was the frontier of research in nuclear fusion!

The programme at CCFE included lectures on a range of topics - the theory behind nuclear fusion, advances in fusion technology over the years and the difficulties faced, and also about the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). We were then taken on a guided tour of the facilities at Culham, including the control centre, the MAST reactor and the JET reactor (the Joint European Torus, currently the largest facility of its kind in operation). It was incredible - I could barely restrain myself from acting like a teenaged fangirl!

At Culham, I realised how researchers in the STEM fields have the potential and the ability to work for the greater good, and to contribute towards solving pressing global issues. In a way, this was exactly what the London International Youth Science Forum was about, what it represented.

The assembly hall for the JET

A replica of the entire JET assembly

The MAST reactor at Culham

Video feed of the plasma inside the MAST reactor

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Another fascinating event during LIYSF 2013 was the Student Bazaar Evening. It gave participants the opportunity to showcase their own research projects and present posters on them. The idea behind the Bazaar was to give students a chance to present their work on an international platform, while simultaneously allowing stimulating discussions to take place between participants. That evening was probably the most memorable of all the 14 evenings of LIYSF. The quality of the projects was simply mind-blowing, and I was amazed by the work of some of the participants. It was really exciting to learn about their work and throw ideas around, while learning about research spanning almost every field known to man - from taxonomy to human chemosignals, and from robotics to efficient OLED displays!

The LIYSF schedule also involved visits to the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum in London. In fact, both the museums were within walking distance of Imperial College, so it was pretty convenient as well. The museums themselves were awe-inspiring, definitely two of the most well-planned museums I have ever been to. The museum visits added to the science overdose that was LIYSF, and yet we enjoyed every minute of them! There was just so much to take in, so much to learn, so much to think about that it was unbelievable.

To round off this blog entry, I present some of the photographs I took at the Science Museum:

Life-size model of the world's first particle accelerator.

Replica of the German V2 rocket.

Watson and Crick's model of the structure of DNA. I don't think this needs any introduction!

Replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module

The actual Command Module from the Apollo 10 mission. This wasn't a replica - it was the real deal!

In the museums, I also came across some inspiring quotes which I would like to share:

1) It's human nature to stretch, to go, to see, to understand. Exploration is not a choice, really; it's an imperative.
- Micheal Collins (Astronaut, Apollo 11)

2) The Earth is the cradle of the mind, but we cannot live forever in a cradle.
- Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (Father of Russian Astronautics)

3) Freedom of thought is best promoted by the gradual illumination of men's minds, which follows from the advance of science.
- Charles Darwin.

London International Youth Science Forum 2013, Part One

A few months ago, I was told that I was going to have a life-changing experience (as one of the representatives of India at the London International Youth Science Forum 2013). At the time, I regarded this with a hint of cynicism as I thought, "Sure, why not? How many times have I heard that before?"

I was proved wrong in spectacular fashion.

LIYSF 2013 turned out be even greater than promised.

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As the name suggests, the London International Youth Science Forum is a science forum for students from around the world. What it doesn't suggest, however, is how incredible the forum actually is. (By the way, I'm just going to write LIYSF from now on - typing the entire name over and over again will surely give me a bad case of tendinitis.)

Founded in 1959, LIYSF brings together about 350 students from around the world for a 2-week residential program in London. The current location of the forum is in Imperial College London. Together, the participants attend lectures by leading scientists from various institutions, go on visits to research establishments and museums in England, and take part in workshops, debates and other group activities. The forum also has a delightful social aspect to it - a cabaret, "traditions of home" evening, and optional sightseeing tours in London. The forum aims to give students a taste of cutting-edge research while simultaneously fostering international relations.
LIYSF even has its own wikipedia page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_International_Youth_Science_Forum

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I crawled out of bed, bleary-eyed, at 2 am on the 24th of July, to catch a 6 am flight to the land of the Queen. A 9-hour flight lay between me and London, yet I know it wasn't going to be the arduous journey I was promised it would be. I love flying, and spending 32,400 seconds cruising 30,000 feet above sea level was the stuff of dreams! While excited, I can't deny I was a little anxious. In a few hours' time, I would be meeting people from all over the world, in a foreign land. Sure, it sounded incredible, but what if I didn't "fit in"?
(The 2 weeks in London would completely change my idea of "fitting in". I realised at LIYSF that people will like you for who you are, as long as you are genuine. Also, I needn't have worried about my personality matching with those of the other participants. All of us were lovers of science, and that was enough!)

Every trip must include a photograph of an airplane wing.

I should have expected that things would start to go wrong the minute I stepped off the plane at Heathrow Airport in London. They always do - that's what makes the story interesting. It turned out that my suitcase had gotten soaked at Mumbai airport (it was pouring at the time of my flight - completely natural, as July is peak monsoon season in India), and the trolley handle on it got jammed shut. When I picked up the bag in London, I realised that I would have to carry it all the way to Imperial College - dragging it was no longer an option! To add to my woes, my mobile phone obstinately refused to work properly, as all self-respecting electronic devices do when you need them the most.

I couldn't be disappointed for too long, though. It was my first visit to England, after all! And I played the part of the starry-eyed tourist to perfection, taking in the sights from the airport all the way over to Imperial College London in South Kensington. The moment I entered the Biet Halls of Residence in Imperial (where we were to stay for the next 2 weeks), I was greeted with warm smiles by everyone I met, from fellow participants to LIYSF staff members. I realised that we were all in this together, and everyone was away from home. It struck me for the first time what an amazing opportunity this was, and that I would be a fool not to take complete advantage of it.

The following fortnight turned out to be one of the most glorious and eventful ones of my life. I attended lectures by brilliant scientists, from institutions like CERN and the Royal Society of Chemistry. I visited Oxford. I met people and made friends from Germany, England, Spain, Israel, Malta, Serbia, Brazil, Italy, Cyprus, Pakistan, New Zealand, USA, Sweden and more. As far as experiences go, it was one for the books.

LIYSF meant so much to me that I have decided to dedicate 3 entire blog entries to it. This one, "London International Youth Science Forum, Part One" was intended to give you an overview, an introduction to my experiences in London. Stay tuned for my next blog post, titled "London International Youth Science Forum, Part Two" (I'm quite creative with names, aren't I?)

Until then, some photographs:

The opening ceremony of LIYSF 2013.

South Kensington Tube Station

Beautiful English countryside

Besides the scientific events, we indulged in a little sightseeing as well. Here is a photo from when we LIYSFers visited Stonehenge.

Cathedral at Salisbury

Oxford Castle

One of the buildings in Imperial College London

I was in London. How could I have not taken a picture of the London Eye?

I was in London. How could I have not taken a picture of Buckingham Palace?

Until next time.