THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2024/2025

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Geoscience Outreach and Engagement (EASC10087)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryGeoScience Outreach is a project-based course where students design and carry out an outreach project that communicates some element of the field of GeoSciences or other participating discipline and related subjects beyond the University community. This course will enable students to: 1) develop expertise in outreach and engagement, 2) improve communication skills for non-academic audiences, 3) learn key career skills such as project management, and 4) work in a professional capacity liaising and collaborating with external clients. Students will work with schools, community centres, museums, outdoor visitor centres, science centres, community groups, online public and other clients to design, develop and deliver resources and materials for outreach and engagement. Resources can include classroom teaching resources, leaflets, websites, smartphone/tablet applications, community events, presentations or materials for museums or visitor centres, etc. The subject matter can include anything within the remit of the School of GeoSciences or other participating schools within the University. Feedback from students indicates that successful completion of the course has enhanced future employability and opened up diverse career options such as science communication and education. http://geoscienceoutreach.wordpress.com/
Course description
Workshops

The course will begin with regular workshops to provide the skillsets required for the individual projects. Projects are developed concurrently with the workshops. Sessions will be held in-person from 11:00 - 1:00pm on Thursdays throughout the first semester (time and days subject to confirmation) and during some weeks in the second semester. Attendance is not compulsory at all workshops; however, it is strongly recommended in order to develop the requisite skills needed to complete the course.

Indicative workshop schedule Semester 1:

Week 1: Course introduction discussion of the objectives of the course and previous student outputs and experiences

Week 2: Reflective Learning, Project Development

Week 3: Blogging, Community Service

Week 4: Fulfilling the client brief, Active Learning Schools Outreach

Week 5: Interdisciplinary learning and the Curriculum for Excellence, Developing Client Personae

Week 6: Creating Impactful Public Engagement

Week 7: Storyline and Outreach

Week 8: Open Educational Resources, copyright and permissions (e.g., creative commons)

Week 9: Planning your outreach evaluation

Week 10: Open, Accessible, Inclusive

Indicative workshop schedule Semester 2:

Week 1: Verbal Communication (prep for Course Conference)

Week 4: Course Conference

Week 6: Licensing refresh ¿ send your questions/bring to session

Week 7: Poster prep

Week 9: Careers Service (requested by previous GO students)

Week 10: Course Celebration/Showcas
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs No
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2024/25, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  22
Course Start Flexible
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Lecture Hours 10, Other Study Hours 100, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 86 )
Additional Information (Learning and Teaching) Additional Hours: on placement
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment)
Written Exam: 0%, Course Work: 100%, Practical Exam: 0%

5% A4 project flyer/poster

10% Interim project report

10% 3min Conference presentation

15% Reflective blogs

20% Technical report

40% Final Product

http://www.ed.ac.uk/student-­administration/exams/regulations/common-­marking-scheme
Feedback
Individual and group meetings: Each student will have at least two individual meetings per semester with their supervisory team. Students can also arrange individual supervisory meetings with their team including staff and tutors at any time for advice, support, feedback etc.

November interim report: students will received detailed written feedback on the progress of their project based on their assessed November hand in, and also on project development and student progress through the first semester.

February presentation: Students will receive detailed presentation on their conference presentation.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Develop expertise with community outreach and engagement
  2. Learn key communication skills
  3. Refine skills with project development and time management
  4. Build relationships with community partners including schools, museums, community groups, etc.
  5. Create learning resources, educational materials, delivery of workshops
Reading List
N/A
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills *Communicating science knowledge and understanding in unfamiliar contexts and to unfamiliar audiences
*Working with external clients in unfamiliar environments (e.g. school classrooms, visitor centres, museums)
*Project and time management
*Creative project design skills
*Interpersonal skills
*Enterprise and sustainability
Special Arrangements Students will be mentored through project development in Semester 1 and undertake the majority of their project work in Semester 2.
KeywordsScience engagement and communication; science education; clients; project management
Contacts
Course organiserMrs Kay Douglas
Tel:
Email: Kay.Douglas@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Johan De Klerk
Tel: (0131 6)50 7010
Email: johan.deklerk@ed.ac.uk
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