Science Ceilidh uses the tradition of community gatherings where everyone shares a song or story with no need to be an expert in order to attract new audiences, break stereotypes, and spark conversations about research.
ACTIVITIES
Ceilidh events happen in science, music & community festivals sharing our science-themed dances (often developed with groups) attracting people who don’t typically engage in science.
START OF THE PROJECT
13.04.2014
ORGANISATION
IMPACT
They have worked with at least 10,000 school learners and over 16,000 community members have tried science-themed dances. In terms of reaching new communities, recent tour in Shetland focusing on the link between creativity and wellbeing with both schools & communities found that 80% of those surveyed never, or rarely, got to engage in the science behind health.
TARGET GROUP
Teachers, Hard-to-engage public
PARTNERS
- Edinburgh Neuroscience
- Voluntary Arts Scotland
- Fun Palaces
KEY LEARNINGS
- Build a Relationship First and Engagement Will Follow – this is a core concept of our approach, especially with “hard-to-reach” groups.
- Science By Any Other Name – names are important and where possible, we use names that are relevant or decided by the communities/young people we work with.
- If you’re not closing the gaps, you’re deepening them – the gaps can be from privileged to underprivileged young people, minority and/or protected groups, or the gap between converted and unconverted.