Taking science to the community

The direction of this effort goes beyond the outreach activities increasingly essential to the recruitment of excellent students to Western. There is a growing acceptance of the role of the faculty in explaining science to the broader community.

Following the disastrous Asian tsunami, faculty members moved quickly to invite the public to a seminar presented in everyday language about the event itself, as well as Western's role in charting earthquakes.

The faculty has been doing this to a degree for years. Check out the Web site at www.uwo.ca/earth/questions.htm where members of the public can pose a question to "Ask the Expert".

And it happens one-on-one in smaller ways as professors investigate suspected meteorites, unusual plants and unexpected creatures. David Dillon, an Undergraduate Instructor in Earth Sciences, received a matchbox filled with small ancient bones from a missionary who had just returned from Africa. An Angolese farmer unearthed the bones, gave them to the missionary and simply asked, "What are these"?

Dillon immediately recognized some of the artifacts as shark's teeth. The surprise find was a small bone from an Angolosaurus. The bones were a delightful discovery.

There's increasing concern that science, while appreciated by the public, is also poorly understood. More must be done to break through the 'understanding' barrier.

While experts must be able to communicate with experts for science to move forward, they must also communicate with the public for broader trust and support.

This exchange enhances the university and the community at large.

Below are a few ways Western Science interacts with the community.

Noteworthy Lectures
Several departments host prominent national and international speakers to discuss topics with a general audience in mind. Some of the key public lectures include:

The Nerenberg Lecture organized by the Department of Applied Mathematics and sponsored by numerous departments and faculties. The series is designed to communicate some of the significant and sometimes surprising ideas of our age by a distinguished researcher to a broad audience. Most recently, a celebrated math educator spoke on how math can be presented to children in ways that are as palatable as reading.

In the Department of Biology, the Helen Battle Lectures features high profile and sometimes controversial speakers in all fields of biological research. Topics in the past have included the effectiveness of genetically modified organisms, a natural history of animal droppings, and the reduction of Canada's fresh water supply. The Laudenbach Lectures focus on key plant sciences topics.

In the Department of Chemistry, the Pattison and the 3M Lecture series mark two of the highlights of each academic year. They have featured some of the best and brightest minds of the international chemistry community. Lecturers, who include several Nobel Laureates, are chosen to rotate among the field of Organic, Inorganic and Physical/Theoretical Chemistry.

The departments of Earth Sciences and Chemistry sponsor the SCUGOG Lecture, featuring a world-renowned scientist on an Earth Sciences topic. An anonymous benefactor funded the SCUGOG Lecture with the goal of providing a high quality lecture to the public by an eminent earth scientist.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy most notable speaker's event is the Elizabeth Laird Lecture. Eminent researchers in the physical sciences come to discuss topics that, in the past, have included particle physics, nuclear arms proliferation, and cosmology. A few of these speakers have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.

Other notable lecture events are: Earth Day Public Lecture, Environmental Research Western Lectures and the Planetary Science Annual Public Lecture.

Tours and Activities
Many departments within the Faculty of Science offer tours or activities to provide a hands-on experience or demonstration.

Earth Sciences Department Tours are given free-of-charge to school groups ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12, and various community organizations. These tours utilize the St. Marys Cement Rock Garden, the hallway displays and provide an overview of the geological processes, history and materials. To arrange a tour, call the Earth Sciences Department at 661-3187 for details.

The Department of Physics & Astronomy hosts the popular Astronomy Public Nights. Although the program varies depending on the leader, it typically consists of a talk or demonstration at the Cronyn Observatory followed by a viewing of celestial objects through the telescope. In winter, the sessions are held one night per week. Groups should call 661-3183 to make reservations. During summer months, Open House is every Saturday evening 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm on a come-and-go as you please basis.

The public also visits Biology's Greenhouse Complex. The Tropical House is the largest greenhouse in the teaching complex. It contains the main plant display area and is the principal attraction for visitors. A short circular path leads visitors past various specimen plants and a small fish pond. For more information, contact Greenhouse Manager Magdalena van Hal at mag@uwo.ca

The Herbarium & Arboretum hold occasional introductory workshops on plant collecting, using a herbarium and plant identification. The staff of the herbarium often provide information about poisonous plants, medicinal plants, weeds, ornamentals, species at risk and so on. For more information contact Jane Bowles, curator, at jbowles@uwo.ca.

Western Science Visits the Community
Many departments take their demonstrations on the road.

Computer Science visits high schools to emphasize the fact that aspects of computers permeate every area of society in cool and interesting ways.

With the event Science in the Mall, the Chemistry Department found it necessary to prepare enough equipment for 1,000 people to make their own "slime."

At the same time, a number of Physics demonstrations are highly popular, including the "frozen banana hammer" created with the help of liquid nitrogen.

Earth Sciences provides informal talks at rock and gem clubs, local museums, and classes.

Science and Kids
The Esso Centre for Mathematics Education is a joint venture of the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Education to develop mathematics education programs and community outreach initiatives. It is funded by Imperial Oil Canada.

One of the centre's initiatives is the Esso Family Math Project which supports all parents, but especially those who find it difficult to obtain help with their child's mathematical growth and development. This program is based on an initiative developed in Berkeley in the 1980s.

Women in Technology is a joint program with Computer Science and IBM. Participation is exclusive to girls in grades 7 and 8. Female undergraduate and graduate students bring presentations on laptops for a fun and interactive look at possible careers in information technologies.

The motto of the Science Olympics is "To do good Science, To have fun doing, To involve as many people as possible". The Science Olympics provides the opportunity for student teams to experience the challenge and excitement of competing against the clock in a number of science related events. Events are scheduled at various times in the day, and ending with an awards ceremony early in the afternoon.

High school students may also request copies of the Science@Western Newsletter. This publication alerts students to the top drawer research that happens in the Faculty of Science as well as including fascinating trivia, events and contest information.

Other notable efforts include the Bit by Bit Computer Camp, Bluewater Trail District Visit, Math Challenge, ECOO High School Programming Contest, Biology Essay Contest and the Western Science Challenge.

Soliciting Feedback
The information flow isn't always one way, and that's good.

The most recent initiative is the Science External Advisory Council (SEAC). This group brings an external perspective to the design of faculty programs and directions. Areas of immediate interest to SEAC include undergraduate, graduate and student internship program development, and career development for students.

The Computer Science industry advisory board is made up of Computer Science alumni to help identify areas which need attention and also to promote the department both internally and externally.