The Hands-on Universe. Innovative ways of using your senses to make sense of the Universe

宇宙学和天体物理学解决了整个科学中一些最基本、最普遍令人着迷的问题：宇宙从哪里来？它是用什么做的？它的最终命运将是什么？在对发现的好奇心和对我们的学科所带来的智力冒险的迷恋的驱使下，广大公众正在积极地参与这些问题。作为科学家，我们很幸运能够利用这种热情。天体物理学为我们提供了一种令人兴奋的、引人入胜的方式来谈论科学--特别是STFC科学--及其对社会的重要性。对天文学和天体物理学的兴趣也是本科阶段学习物理的学生最常提到的原因之一。对宇宙的研究鼓舞人心，令人谦卑，简而言之，这是人类面临的最大科学挑战之一。但就其本质而言，宇宙也与我们的日常经验相去甚远。这是它神秘和迷人的一部分，但它也可能成为试图让公众参与真正的双向对话的障碍。该奖学金的目的是创造和提供创新的方法，超越自上而下的科学交流的旧模式。更好的认识，更真诚的参与，以及接触到更广泛和多样化的社会各阶层，都将是由此产生的好处。《实践宇宙》将把宇宙学和天体物理学中的大问题与日常经验联系起来，从隐喻、概念、艺术和情感上进行。宇宙是由什么构成的？它是怎么开始的？它将如何结束？现实的本质是什么？科学是如何运作的？我将围绕这些和其他问题创造身临其境的、参与式的体验，让更多的观众更具参与性。这将有助于宣传STFC科学的情况及其对社会的有用性，特别是在经济困难的时候。研究金将包括以下活动：实践活动：以学校为重点的公共活动，重点是11-16岁的学生，特别是弱势群体和少数群体的学生，科学博物馆和艺术节，旨在利用特别开发的实践活动，以有趣和互动的方式说明现代天体物理学和宇宙学的思想。与艺术家和音乐家的合作：与艺术家和设计师进行了一系列公开的和基于网络的对话，旨在探讨宇宙学中的不可见性、科学和艺术中对现实的感知和描述以及天体物理学研究对社会的更广泛意义。将开展协作工作，在备受瞩目的公共场所制作大型装置。一系列特别设计的互动讲座，与音乐家(包括业余音乐家)合作，探索宇宙学和音乐之间的联系和隐喻。全面的在线展示：一个网站，提供教学材料，更详细地解释现场活动期间触及的概念；活动本身的视频日记；以及旨在利用网络(社交网络、博客)创建追随者在线社区从而增加影响力的纯在线内容。

Cosmology and astrophysics address some of the most fundamental and universally fascinating questions in the whole of science: Where did the Universe come from? What is it made of? What will its ultimate fate be? The public at large are actively engaging with these questions, driven by the curiosity of discovery, and the fascination for the intellectual adventures that our discipline entails. As scientists, we are fortunate to be able to tap into such enthusiasm. Astrophysics provides us with an exciting, engaging way to talk about science -- and in particular STFC science -- and its importance for society. Interest for astronomy and astrophysics is also one of the most-often cited reasons by students taking up Physics at undergraduate level. The study of the Universe is inspiring, humbling and in short one of the greatest scientific challenges of humankind. But by its nature the cosmos is also far removed from our everyday experience. This is part of its mystery and fascination, but it can also become a hurdle when trying to engage the public in a genuine, two-way dialogue. The aim of this fellowship is to create and deliver innovative methods of transcending the old model of top-down communication of science. Better awareness, more genuine engagement and reaching out to a much wider and diverse cross-section of society will be the resulting benefits. "The Hands-on Universe" will link the big questions in cosmology and astrophysics with everyday experiences, metaphorically, conceptually, artistically and emotionally. What is the Universe made of? How did it begin? How will it end? What is the nature of reality? How does science work? I will create immersive, participative experiences revolving around those and other questions, leading to a more participatory engagement by a larger audience. This will help promoting the case for STFC science and its usefulness for society, especially at times of financial hardships. The fellowship will comprise the following activities: Hands-on activities: Public events focusing on schools with pupils in the age range 11-16, in particular from disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups, science museums and festivals, aimed at using especially developed hands-on activities to illustrate ideas in modern astrophysics and cosmology in a fun and interactive way. Collaborations with artists and musicians: A series of public and web-based dialogic encounters with artists and designers, aimed at exploring the theme of invisibility in cosmology, the perception and description of reality in science and in the arts and the wider significance of research in astrophysics for society. Collaborative work for the production of large-scale installations in high-profile public venues will be pursued. A series of especially-designed interactive lectures, in collaboration with musicians (including amateurs), exploring links and metaphors between cosmology and music. Comprehensive online presence: A website with pedagogical material explaining in more details concepts touched on during the live events; video diaries of the events themselves; and online-only content designed to take advantage of the web (social networks, blogs) to create an online community of followers and thus increase impact.