Glasgow Science Festival in Action 2022

GSF 2022 saw a return to a predominantly in-person festival back in our usual June timeslot. GSF in Action was delivered as a hybrid programme, with teaching and group work online then practice and delivery in-person. Five groups responded to two briefs:

1. To create content around themes requested by a community partner, The Govan Stones/ Fairfield Trust, with delivery at a community day in Govan Old and at a newly formed STEM club

2. To create content around the festival theme 'Glasgow's Making Waves', with delivery as part of our events at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens and the Riverside Museum

 

Find out more about GSF 2022

Camouflage

Amy, Saniya and Alfred developed 'Camouflage' an activity all about the colours and patterns animals use to hide from predators. Participants could design their own camouflage, and assist the team in finding insects and animals that are camouflaged in their natural environment. This activity was based around themes requested by Fairfield Heritage, Govan as part of GSF supporting their creation of a STEM club for young people. The GSF in Action team delivered their activities at a community day on the 5th June at the Govan Stones. 

Photograph of a GSF in Action student with a child pointing at images of animal camouflage.

Photograph showing an adult with two children looking at images of different animal camouflage.

Photograph of a GSF in Action student smiling at the camera whilst assisting three children with the activity.

River Clyde and Nature

Kathryn, Peace, Giulia, Navneet and Jacqueline developed a two part activity based on the River Clyde. Participants could learn about and identify water bugs and insects that live in aquatic environments, and then use popcorn and sugar to learn about water filtration. This activity was based around themes requested by Fairfield Heritage, Govan and was also delivered at our community day at the Govan Stones on the 5th June. 

Photograph of a GSF in Action student with 3 people showing them insects and plant life surrounded by images of the insects.

Photograph of two GSF in Action students with a child pouring water into a bottle to learn about water filtration using popcorn and sugar.

Photograph showing two GSF in Action students with four people including teens and children looking at insect diagrams. At the front of the image is a microscope.

Light in the Sky

Niniola, Hollie, Jennifer, Pranav and Henrietta developed 'Light in the Sky'. In this activity you would design your own light bending goggles and then watch as light bends to give all colours of the rainbow. This activity was developed following the theme of the whole festival 'Glasgow's Making Waves' and was delivered at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens on the 9th and 10th of June. 

Photograph of four GSF in action students with colourful make your own glasses, and experiments to show light bending.

Photograph showing 2 GSF in Action students assisting school children with making paper glasses, whilst another GSF student is in discussion with another school child.

Photograph showing three GSF in Action students assisting several schoolchildren with creating rainbow glasses.

Glowing Science

Elaine, Rebecca, Yuanliangzi Tian, Danielle and Elena developed 'Glowing Science' an activity revealing the many uses of fluorescence. Participants were invited to find a hidden fluorescing marker in a ball pit, look at tiny cell structures and then contribute to an invisible ink mural. This activity was developed based on the festivals theme 'Glasgow's Making Waves' and was delivered at the Riverside Museum on the 8th and 9th of June. 

Photograph of four GSF in action students with a colourful mat, bouncy balls and a UV light ready to start the activity.

Photograph of a GSF in Action student and 2 children using UV lights to reveal invisible ink. On the mat on the floor more children are drawing and using the UV light.

Photograph showing two GSF in Action students with two adults and a child. The child is playing with a UV light.

Sounds in Nature

Emma, Mhairi, Mar, Juda, Luke, Alicia and Sara presented 'Sounds in Nature: How and Why Animals Make Sounds'. This 3 part activity included underground sounds with demon mole rats, whale songs and make your own rattlesnakes! This activity was developed based on the festival theme of 'Glasgow's Making Waves' and was delivered at the Riverside Museum on the 2nd and 9th of June. 

Photograph of two GSF in action students holding a musical frog and a homemade 'rattlesnake' whilst in the background two more students are demonstrating sounds in water to two children with wine glasses filled with different amounts of water.

Photograph of two GSF in Action students holding a colourful spring representing sound waves, surrounded by toy worms and tubes to represent underground creatures..

Photograph of a GSF in Action student demonstrating using different tools to make sounds to an adult and two children, in the background another student is helping three children make rattlesnakes out of paper straws.