previous projects

EPSRC public engagement mentor

Paul is currently a mentor for the EPSRC's Public Awareness Programme. This involves supporting and guiding EPSRC-funded researchers across the UK in delivering STEM engagement projects with a variety of audiences.

evaluation of visualise science show

We conducted an independent evaluation of visualise for NESTA, IOP and Pfizer.
This unique show was developed by Science Made Simple, a science communication company based in Cardiff. It explored how to communicate the beauty of science through demonstrations, music and multimedia presentations but without words. The show was used as the closing event for Einstein Year in 2005.

development of supersonic show for National Museums of Scotland

We were commissioned to develop an interactive show about the amazing science and technology behind Concorde - the supersonic show - for the Museum of Flight in Scotland to support the Concorde Experience exhibition. We have also trained three groups of staff who have not presented interactive shows before to deliver the show to family audiences.

development of outreach show for Queen's University

In 2004 we developed and performed an interactive science show about sound and light for Queen's University Community outreach - the house on the hill. This show used a story to involve the key stage 2 audiences in the beauty of light and sound.

education consultancy for X2 exhibition

During 2004 and 2005 Paul acted as education consultant for X2 - Flight Experience exhibition at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. This meant being involved in all aspects of the exhibition development - including creating a storyline; researching exhibition content and exhibits; writing labels and graphic signage; writing the mutlimedia presentation; staff training; developing trail activities for the exhibition.

evaluation of Wales Science Year

This wide-ranging evaluation for the Welsh National Assembly reviewed the overall impact of the Science Year projects that were held in Wales. It attempted to summarise the professional judgements of a sample of teachers, individual event organisers and key people involved in science education. The report also identified areas of best practice and issues for further development in future campaigns.

presenter training for the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum

We have developed and delivered several training courses to staff at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on informal education, facilitation and presentation skills, and communicating science. These courses were to designed to help staff who did not come from a science background to present both science workshop sessions and interactive science demonstrations shows.

development of flight outreach show for Bombardier Aerospace

In 2003 we developed an interactive demonstration show celebrating the 100th anniversary of powered flight for Bombardier Aerospace — The Flight Experience show. This masssively successful show toured primary and post-primary schools across the Province for 225 performances during 2003. The project received a commendation in the Best Access and Outreach award in the national Museum of the Year awards 2003.

some other projects ...

Some other projects of think differently include:

Presenting interactive shows for schools and families at festivals in the Republic of Ireland and in the UK mainland;
Consulting for various science education publishers;
Developing several workshops relating to flight for the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum - for boths schools and the public.
Acting as a science communication lecturer at Queens University, Belfast - demonstration and performance training for trainee teachers, and informal science education lectures for MSc students.
Assisting Queens University and the Belfast Telegraph to produce an educational newspaper resource on astronomy ;
Acting as a consultant for BBC NI primary science programmes;
Appearing in several BBC and RTE programmes;
Developing and presenting a busking roadshow, Street Science , which toured selected shopping centres across Northern Ireland — supported by the Institute of Physics and NIACE;
Developing four Science Live shows for the Royal Dublin Society - molecular magic, a question of energy; kitchen chemistry; and the wonders of waves ;
Delivering teacher training sessions for Queen's University, ASE NI, and the ISTA;
Developing and presenting an interactive demonstration show, Science on the Move, at The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum to over 3000 pupils as part of Science Year in Northern Ireland.