Bringing the stars to your desktop

Submitted by jmarti on Sun, 03/11/2012 - 12:48

This project brings to the desktop of any user real time views of the celestial sphere by means of an All-sky camera connected to an internet server. The camera and server are located at the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Jaén (Spain). They work in a continuous and autonomous way since 2010 without human assistance for most of the time. The dedicated web-page includes custom software that allows the user to also view: a computer-generated star map for direct comparison with real sky; videos of the previous 2h and 24h; mitigation of the severe effects of light pollution, etc. Among other uses, the system presented here has been specially well suited for: outreach activities in Astronomy; as a teaching tool addressed to broad audiences; as a way to increase the public awareness about light pollution and its environmental effects; as a contribution to professional meteor and fireball research.

Anti Smoking Centre of Catania University: first media campaign to increase accesses and the number of people wanting to stop smoking

Submitted by polosa on Sun, 03/11/2012 - 12:40

ABSTRACT
With approximately 5 million tobacco-related deaths annually, tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature mortality in the world. A lot of effort was made to reduce this problem, but a lot of initiatives are still require to increase the number of people decide to stop smoking. The health national system provides an smoking cessation centers to assist smokers, but few know this service.

The Smoking Cessation Center of Catania University, engaged with international clinical research on tobacco dependence, decide to carry out a new strategy to involve the smokers, giving them a specific information and assistance about smoking cessation activities trough media campaign also with new instruments as social networks and forums.

The results of this new strategy is an increment of 55% quit attempts compared to period without press activities.

Each smoking cessation centre can adopt this strategy to improve its results and promote health.

Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour - Project Bernie

Submitted by speattie on Sat, 03/10/2012 - 12:18

Background

There are around 7,000 (mostly deliberate) grassfires in Wales each year which endanger lives and property; impact local businesses, tourism and the countryside; and destroy wildlife and forestry resources. Such deliberate fires cost South Wales Fire and Rescue Service (SWFRS) around £7m annually.

Health and Culture

Submitted by wendymaygallagher on Fri, 03/09/2012 - 21:19

Health and Culture
Introduction
At the University of Manchester, The Manchester Museum and Whitworth Art Gallery has pioneered new methods of engaging with the public through their Health and Culture programme . The development of a partnership with Manchester Schools Hospital and Home Teaching Service, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and Central Manchester Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust enabled the delivery of a series of collaborative activities and programmes that led to practical benefits for all involved.
Objectives and Goals

Bentham Papers Transcription Initiative (Transcribe Bentham)

Submitted by TimCauser on Thu, 03/08/2012 - 09:52

The Bentham Papers Transcription Initiative (Transcribe Bentham) is a pioneering and award-winning crowdsourced manuscript transcription project.

Researchers´Night in the University of Alcala

Submitted by Ruth Parra UAH on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 15:19

Researchers´ Night in Madrid 2011 is a project which involves the main Universities and Research Centres in the Region as well as two National Scientific Associations within the framework of the European Researchers´ Night. University of Alcalá submit to European Competition for Best Innovations in University Outreach and Public Engagement the activities specially programmed for this project, which aims at bringing the researchers

‘I am illuminated with less’: energy saving, southern Italian style

Submitted by UNIFG on Tue, 03/06/2012 - 10:27

Every year in mid-February there is a national energy-saving campaign with initiatives highlighting ways of reducing waste and promoting clean energy. This is an account of what the University of Foggia did this year. The event was targeted at the widest possible audience. Using only light produced by riding a bicycle, there were readings from staff, students and members of the public. Excerpts from films, old and new, on environmental themes were shown. For 2013, the University Department that has saved the most electricity during 2012 will be awarded a prize. Various media were used to publicise the event which was promoted as an opportunity for reflection about energy saving. Data analysis was carried out by questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, and blogs. A Forum will be set up to further involve staff, students and the general public in designing future editions of the event. Media feedback has been uniformly positive.

The UK Schools Computer Animation Competition

Submitted by tobyhoward on Fri, 03/02/2012 - 15:51

1. SUMMARY

The UK Schools Computer Animation Competition aims to excite school students aged 7-19 about Computer Science, and to encourage more of the brightest and best of the next generation to become not just users of computers, but creators of the future of Computer Science and Information Technology. The competition has run annually since 2008, and to date (March 2012) we have attracted over 3,000 competition entries from more than 5,000 school students from over 600 schools across the UK, representing an involvement by over 1,200 teachers.

2. WEBSITES

Laser, light of our time

Submitted by rociobv on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 19:08

In 1960 Theodore Maiman succeeded in the first experimental demonstration of the laser. Fifty years later it is difficult to figure out a scientific discipline that does not involve a laser or a day without any laser-based devices. The aim of this project was the development of an outreach book about lasers to increase the interest for science among students and the general public. Two thousand copies were distributed in universities, schools and libraries and now it is available to be freely downloaded.

I National Competition of Crystallization in the School

Submitted by alfonsogc on Mon, 02/27/2012 - 11:11

The I National Competition of Crystallization in the School (http://www.lec.csic.es/concurso/) is a contest on crystallography and crystallization for young pupils that has been carried out among 20 secondary schools across 7 provinces (Granada, Cadiz and Malaga, Gerona, Oviedo, Murcia and Zaragoza) of 5 different regions (Andalusia, Catalonia, Asturias, Murcia and Aragon) throughout Spain.

EngageU

Press Release