RAS200: Outreach and Engagement Fund of £1,000,000

Here is a few examples of past 2015 winning projects proposals to give you an idea of the scope, link to PDF here.

 

As we all know Stargazing works as a hook to develop an interest in science, for pleasure or to boost people’s opportunities in life. The Prince’s Trust hopes that the disadvantaged young people it supports will gain confidence and skills in life.

By combining RAS expertise – in the form of RAS Fellows active in the projects as well as partnerships with astronomy and geophysics organizations/societies – with specialist knowledge and expertise about the people we want to reach, the RAS 200 projects are set to bring astronomy and geophysics to new audiences.

 

Some of our committee attended one of the Town hall meetings in October 2016 which resulted brainstorming sessions on possible projects.

 

Our SAS committee members attending (you know who you are) had the idea of re-using David's Ettie's excellent talk title "Astronomy is for Everyone" or "Astronomy for All" as a initial theme of Astronomy within the the North & North East (N.E.) region from past, present and Future.

Using this theme as a springboard to launch ideas for possible projects/collaborations/outreach and put N.E. on the map w.r.t. astronomy.

It was thought it could fit nicely with RAS 200 in 2020 for funding projects and we used this as a launching point for ideas.

As you know there are numerous organisations/societies/industries and people of the N.E.(past/present/future) that have contributed/are contributing greatly to astronomy.

 

 

 

Possible Project(s) or Ideas

From the brainstorming session on possible RAS 200 fund proposals we had some good ideas exploiting N.E. links and a possibility of  building stuff/other projects.

• Past:
  • Grubb-Parsons mirrors housed in and the Discovery Museum, related to science & arts projects, and outreach projects/observing/science exercises/projects with local N.E Schools. SAS / Cygnus observatory and other related organisations, businesses.
    • Contact and investigate what the Discovery Museum actually has from Grubb- Parsons and are the willing to participate/be involved.
    • Build something related involving SAS, local N.E. organisations/businesses/societies.
  • Explore past atromers George W.  Backhouse (RAS member and amateur astronomer) and other N.E. Astronomers and link into outreach projects.
  • GB  - links with the initial space race, Blue-Streak testing site  RAF Spadeadam in Northumberland.
  • Other stuff TBD/TBC.
• Present
  • Various outreach projects.
  • Projects involving SAS other AS and Cygnus observatory (TBD/TBC).
  • Outreach projects with Schools, Colleges & Universities and general public.
  • Outreach projects with disabilities. Explore and/or enhance capabilities of the all access mount at Cygnus observatory.
  • Other arts/science related projects.
  • Other stuff TBD/TBC.
• Future
  • Possible outreach projects with Schools, Colleges & Universities and general public.
  • Other stuff involving SAS.
  • James Webb Telescope. JWT instrumentation built at  Durham Uni, contact relevant professional astronomers and  other related experts?
    • Outreach astro-related projects (possible funding from James Webb outreach programmes)?
  • Other Projects TBD/TBC.

From initial feedback from RAS sounded as though they were very interested in our groups brainstorm proposal.

Although, this was just a brainstorming session and requires further meetups to put meat on the bones of these ideas and formulate possible ways forward for interested people.

 

It was stated at the brief that funding is  not for capital expenditure for e.g. kit or observatory builds, etc. however, there could be funds available for outreach.  However, there may be some leeway.

 

Deadline date for phase-1 proposal is 9th December 2016 (proposal on 1 page of A4). Could be some funding available for SAS and some very good networking connections to be made.

 

We are currently awaiting collating from our brainstorming sessions, of which SAS had a major input and helped to steer.  But until then, we thought it best to be proactive & get something out to SAS and the committee, other interested people for comments and other ideas, etc.

 

So there is the possibility that SAS could get some funding out of this for outreach projects and quite a few networking connections.

 

If this wets your appetite/raises your interest, contact: chairman@sunderlandastro.com. or  raise at the next committee/fundraising meetings?

Worth further discussions and possible ideas for fundraising projects?