1 Our Dynamic Earth (ODE) is an award winning, 5* science centre CUSTOMER FEEDBACK situated in . It is operated by Dynamic Earth Charitable ODE applies broad and clearly defined management information to its Trust (DECT) with the delivery of lifelong learning and public operations and delivery. engagement in Earth and Environmental Science at its core.

Edinburgh Napier University: Two year-long study into the ‘Impact of Mission: Dynamic Earth on Public Engagement with Science’. This focused on leisure visitors to the centre and came to an end in September 2012. This “To provide an outstanding and dynamic visitor experience presenting current replaced by a new visitor survey commissioned through Glamis and topical information promoting understanding of Earth & Environmental Consultancy. sciences in a fun and entertaining way.”

Glamis Consultancy: - A study into the ‘Impact of Dynamic Earth on ODE is the only science centre in the UK dedicated to telling the story planet Engagement With Science In The Education Sector’. Focused on the Earth. It is home to ’s only 360° digital dome film theatre and has the formal education sector and the Centre’s Education Service this research only 4D learning experience of its kind in the country. The experience is is undertaken as an online survey among visiting teachers. augmented through a team of trained explainers who work with a highly qualified Science and Education department to deliver public engagement with science. VisitScotland: - The Centre holds 5 Star (world class) status, the highest Additional science engagement activities have been developed as a result of standard possible within the VisitScotland Quality Assurance Scheme. In partnering with festivals, universities, research institutions, associations, addition the centre participates in the Green Tourism Business Scheme, innovators, industry and private enterprise. These activities are delivered under which it has been re-awarded Gold Status. across a range of platforms including outreach, temporary event and online activities. ODE takes an active role in educational partnerships including those that influence science education policy, qualifications development and Other Visitor Feedback: A range of Service Delivery surveys are in place to knowledge exchange programmes. measure visitor satisfaction. These include: In house self-completion surveys; a Mystery Shopper Programme, and online ratings through Trip Advisor. FUNDRAISING GRANT SUPPORT ODE supplements commercially derived revenues with grant and partnership Business Performance Statistics: support. This year grant support has been secured through: Demand for services is tracked through the setting of detailed visitor

targets which are monitored daily. The Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor and the Year of Natural Likewise marketing and awareness Scotland teams at the Scottish Government raising activity is clearly tracked The Heritage Lottery Fund against return on investment measures. The Ernest Cook Trust and Through a range of in kind service provisions and private donors.

2 ACTIVITIES 2012-13 New Gallery Development - Uncovering The Heritage Of The Earth - Funding has been secured in the year from the Heritage Lottery Fund to ODE aligns all of its activities to a clear science communication strategy, enable ODE to deliver a brand new gallery to replace the existing brand values, and to a predetermined annual science theme. These are introductory gallery. It will tell the story of the Scottish pioneers who agreed by the Directorial team and the Board of Trustees. Input and developed the geological basis for understanding modern Earth's delivery contribution is supported with advice from our Scientific Advisory processes. Development work commenced in the year and this will be Board as well as from an extended contact list of active university brought to fruition in the opening of a new experience for April 2014. researchers and professional bodies. In addition to the redevelopment of the gallery, this project will take the

story out across Scotland, particularly through outreach activity to science This year ODE has brought 2 new science engagement experiences festivals, in collaboration with the James Hutton Institute. utilising Scotland’s only 360 degree film theatre – ‘ShowDome’. These showcase the science of Natural Selection, (Charles Darwin) and an Schools In-Reach Programmes exploration of the extreme weather phenomena found on the planets within ODE also operates a busy schools in-reach programme which takes the our Solar System; Wildest Weather In The Solar System. shape of centre visits as well as dedicated and curriculum aligned classroom activities, workshops and lectures.

Further to the new additions to the core experience ODE delivers a range of Temporary Science Communication Events. This year 2 key events have During the year ODE launched 6 new schools workshops across the been delivered: Sciences, Expressive Arts, Social Studies, Literacy and English, Sciences and Gaelic curriculum and across age stages Primary 5 to Secondary 4.

One specific workshop, Earth Matters was developed in conjunction with Meet The Dinosaur – Working funding from the Ernest Cook Trust. It supports the interdisciplinary nature with Los Kaos, an Arts Council of of the curriculum for excellence by combining Earth and Environmental funded organisation, sciences with Photography, encouraging children and adults to get out- ODE presented a month long doors and to explore the world around them. event aimed at the family market over the summer. This involved an interactive show featuring Since the beginning of April 2012, ODE has worked with over 60 partners animated life-size puppetry to across a range of additional knowledge exchange activities. These have bring to life a young taken the form of Temporary Events, Outreach Programmes, Online Stegosaurus. The show Science Communication and Strategic or Professional partnerships. introduced adaptions, extinctions “Very relevant to Curriculum for Excellence” – teacher feedback and the careers of palaeontologists.

Science Live – In support of this a series of fun, explosive and hands on workshops was created for visitors to the centre.

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Community Led Outreach PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT - DEMOGRAPHICS ODE operates a community in-reach ODE has achieved good visitor numbers over the period of the review. programmes aimed at a range of groups; Figures for the additional programmes delivered by ODR in the year total from Scouts to adult learning and from a further 1.7 million science engagement experiences – delivered through disadvantaged children to evening groups. activities, outreach, CPD, partnerships and online, as outlined within this The programme offers afternoon and report. evening workshops, shows and guest speakers, craft workshops and a dedicated children’s club. While the level of day visitors to ODE from the one hour catchment area remains constant at 36% of all visitors, the market mix has

shown some movement in the year. The percentage of UK visitors has grown to 50%, a growth of 7% Other Community Engagement Initiatives include: points on last year. Overseas visitors account for 14% of visitors to Dynamic Earth. Dino’s Dynamos Children’s Club - This informal science club, continues to be privately sponsored for the current year. Developed this year to include Research demonstrates that 87% of visitors would recommend ODE to a a series of workshops centred on the science of the senses. Workshops friend or relative with the following feedback: combine science with craft or challenges and provide an accessible and relaxed approach to science education attracting children year after year. “Great Learning through experiencing. Every school child needs to visit this excellent place to understand all about earth.” Our Dynamic Earth’s Golden Ticket – 22 Complimentary Annual Passes are awarded to charities and community groups working with disadvantaged children and seniors. So far this year these have delivered The family market is largely comprised of parents with school age children 1,000 visitors from disenfranchised groups which are supported by ODE but also grandparents visiting with school age children remain the most at a cost of £8,000. prevalent visitor groups for ODE. Visitor demographics for the year show the following footprint. Qualifications Delivery The education service has contributed to the establishment of a Science 51% are aged between 18 & 50 Communication Masters course at the University of Edinburgh. ODE was a 12% are teenage, aged between 12 & 17 host organisation for 3 masters student placements in the year. 34% are under the age of 12

4 Evidence for the year shows a strong level of engagement with ODE among REACTIONS TO SCIENCE - PUBLIC LEARNING, KNOWLEDGE AND visitors. Of the 42% that were on a repeat visit to the centre, 25% had ATTITUDES returned to visit within a six month period and 63% had visited more than Analysis of the outcomes of the ENU & Glamis Visitor Surveys demonstrates twice in the past two years. ODE achieves high levels of engagement with visitors who feedback positive responses to the science presented and to knowledge enhancement and attitudinal change. Indeed, 81% of teachers said that they felt that ODE During the year the education service reached 80,900 visits, students, excelled in making the Earth and Environmental Science seem less complex teacher and community participants. Of these, the majority were either from and easier to understand for their pupils and 96% that science is delivered in primary or secondary school. Just over 1,000 visits were from nursery, a fun and pupil friendly manner. assisted needs and further education.

“The Dynamic Earth concept has amazing potential to inspire & should be Reflecting the increasing profile and quality of Scottish science engagement seen as a flagship learning environment.” visiting schools originated outwith Scotland including schools from France, Germany, Austria, Chile, Switzerland, the USA and the Czech Republic. From Scotland schools from all LEA’s across Scotland have visited the centre 65% of visitors agreed that the Scottish Government should financially during the period. Of all schools a minority were drawn from the Edinburgh support science centres, such as Our Dynamic Earth City catchment and indeed the Glamis Consultancy research for the period notes that;

Visitors to ODE develop a deeper understanding of the science from their Dynamic Earth plays a significant role in education”, and engagement and demonstrate a desire to change their behaviour as well as “...has achieved widespread coverage” in terms of reach with respect to its future decisions based on their improved understanding. Prior to their visit visitor base. 96% of visitors said that they had general or no knowledge of the science areas covered at ODE. After the visitors actually acknowledged a more educational experience Visitor And Education Sector Motivations than they anticipated; 75% emerged more enthused In the year 96% of visitors to Dynamic Earth described their own science about science and 67% knowledge as either ‘none’ or ‘generalist’ with only 4% of visitors considering said they were more themselves science specialists. Of these, visitors are initially motivated by engaged with science. either a family day if visiting during leisure time or are motivated by educational support if they are visiting as part of an ‘educational’ group.

The teaching profession, 73% were motivated to visit because they recognised that it met their curriculum needs and also their desire to encourage their pupils to become more interested in Earth and Environmental Science. Over a third of teachers also indicated that ODE encouraged their pupils to become interested in Earth and Environmental Science.

5 PUBLIC RESPONSES AND BEHAVIOUR CHANGE Our Dynamic Earth activities supporting National Objectives: Dynamic Earth makes a significant contribution to the behaviour change Many of the benefits from the activities we undertake, supports the National among visitors in relation to their perceptions of science and how they apply Objectives of the Government. this to their lives. IMPROVING THE SKILLS PROFILE OF THE POPULATION 96% said that they were actually motivated to change their lifestyle as a The Mingulay Project engaged with a community dealing with a result of their visit. sensitive and controversial issue. 77% felt that ODE had made a strong contribution to their pupils’ IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT understanding of the physical world. The development of a range of activities related to natural hazards 71% of teachers said that ODE had encouraged them to learn more provides a breadth of scientific understanding for learners which have about Earth and environmental science. been identified as a requirement in the SEEAG Report. 72% felt that ODE succeeded in making science seem less complex INCREASING THE PROPORTION OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN and key concepts easier to understand. LEARNING, TRAINING OR WORK The demographic profile of staff at ODE demonstrates our contribution “Dynamic Earth is an educational resource of great value which encourages to youth employment. In addition, the interest and uptake of Student them to develop the subject matter and incorporate it into their courses where Placements contributes to the range of skills development among previously it may not have been included. In addition Dynamic Earth young people. encourages teachers to modify their teaching and they regard Dynamic Earth as being important in helping them to form the views of young people towards WIDEN THE USE OF THE INTERNET science and careers in science.” Social media allows new audiences to be accessed and the reach of the ODE message now extends to blogs, podcasts and a presence on Facebook and Twitter. IMPROVING KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE WITH UNIVERSITIES IMPROVE THE STATE OF SCOTLAND’S HISTORIC SITES ODE has relationships with several Universities through the Beltane organisation and participates in many of its events. By highlighting the importance of The Best of Scottish Scienc event showcased some science that has Scotland’s heritage, ODE encourage the been developed in Scottish universities and research institutes. need to look after sites for future Snowball Earth strengthened ties with universities and with the Royal generations. These include Siccar Point Observatory. where James Hutton demonstrated the Explore your Universe provided graduates with an environment to evidence for “deep time” and Knockan undertake public engagement. Craig where Ben Peach and John The Mingulay Project – Changing Oceans was a collaborative Horne demonstrated mountain building venture with Heriot-Watt University. through low angle thrust faults. Placement Students are now part of ODE’s relationship with Higher

Education.

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INCREASING PEOPLE’S USE OF SCOTLAND’S OUTDOORS SEEAG ODE’s galleries - Restless Earth and Shaping the Surface - Following on from the SEEAG report findings, there are several key issues particularly focus on the Scottish landscape. As part of the initial the Government sees as priorities for action. The bullet points below planning for Uncovering the Heritage of the Earth, links have been demonstrate some of ODE’s responses. A full list is available via the website. made with the GeoParks, with Historic Scotland and with Geowalks which will develop the use of Scotland’s outdoors. ODE has developed new CPD workshops specifically for primary IMPROVING THE CONDITION OF PROTECTED NATURE SITES teachers aimed at increasing their confidence and skills with Sites such as Siccar Point, Hutton’s Section at Salisbury Craigs and the which to deliver Earth and Environmental sciences. Knockan Cliff section in the NW Highlands will be highlighted in the new Developed Teacher online resource packs to enable them to Uncovering the Heritage of the Earth gallery. enhance learning before and after a visit to ODE. IMPROVE THE STATE OF SCOTLAND’S MARINE ENVIRONMENT Worked with teachers on the Heritage Lottery project to access The Mingulay Reef Project has been innovative in introducing learners their knowledge and expertise. to the challenges and controversies associated with marine Continually updated the educational products and services on conservation. offer at ODE to keep up to date with changes in science and to REDUCE SCOTLAND’S CARBON FOOTPRINT AND REDUCE be relevant to CfE. WASTE GENERATED Created visitor shows which demonstrate science in action. Climate Change is addressed both in the Polar gallery and in the The Scottish Science Centres network supports teachers both in education programme alongside a workshop on Reduce, reuse, the areas of educational delivery and CPD while at the same recycle. Recycling also has a prominent place in the culture of all time providing a portal for the general population to engage and parts of the organisation and is enthusiastically supported by staff. interact with everyday science. Developed widespread marketing of what ODE offers, including use of various social media. Collaborated with SSERC to facilitate an integrated approach to CPD. Facilitated Education officers to attend School Transition Events to showcase the work they do to inspire young students and to show them the ‘alternatives’ of a science career.

The SEEAG report expressed some concern about the delivery of cross-disciplinary science and the addressing of cross-curricular issues. By virtue of the nature of Earth and Environmental science these are well represented in both the formal and informal learning options offered by Dynamic Earth and thus contribute to those weaknesses identified by the SEEAG report.

7 GRANT SUBSIDISED PROGRAMMES - REVIEW For more information about Our Dynamic Earth’s Education & Public This year Dynamic Earth awarded over £14,000 to schools across Scotland, Programmes please contact: who ranked highly on national indices for rural or economic disenfranchisement. The number of visits to the centre supported in the Dr Christine Angus (Education Manager ) or review period totalled more than 4000. Pupils benefitting from the transport Miss Eilidh Massie (Marketing Manager) subsidy were drawn from all local authority areas but specifically Fife, Falkirk and The Lothians. Our Dynamic Earth ADULT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROJECT 112 Holyrood Road Through this project ODE engaged with many community organisations. The majority of these were in an in-reach capacity though one outreach Edinburgh engagement was carried out of a part of this work. EH8 8AS In order to ensure the project also engaged the traditionally harder to reach www.dynamicearth.co.uk communities these areas were identified using the SIMD criteria and adult focussed community groups based in these areas were researched and con- [email protected] tacted directly. 0131 5507800

I learnt about the origins of Dynamic Earth and natural selection, I feel my brain has woken up!’ ‘I have laughed for the first time in ages’

‘Today I learned exciting things that I have never experienced before’

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