Herschel Museum of Astronomy expands horizons with Institute of Physics grant

A generous public engagement grant from the Institute of Physics to the Herschel Museum of Astronomy has created new opportunities for underrepresented communities in Bath to learn about astronomy.

The £5,000 grant, awarded last summer, has funded an eight-month-long collaboration between the Herschel Museum of Astronomy, Bath Astronomers and the University of Bath Observatory. The project, named “Starseekers: Beyond the Museum Walls”, has resulted in a series of planetarium sessions, stargazing evenings, observatory workshops and other low and no-cost events and activities for families from disadvantaged backgrounds and the Black Families Education Support Group based at the Percy Community Centre. 

Activities and events so far have included:

• Seven planetarium sessions held at the Percy Centre in Bath 
• Two planetarium sessions in Bath Central Library specially for local community groups
• Consultation session with playscheme and BFESG 
• Four “Space Detectives” sessions 
• A Cyanotype activity held with BFESG 
• Summer solstice stargazing session at the Herschel Museum
• Summer Sunday learning event to engage with the public 
• Four astronomy evenings 

Ellie Giles, Learning and Engagement Officer for Bath Preservation Trust says: “It has been wonderful to work with people from all over Bath, engaging them with Astronomy and Science through our planetarium shows and workshops. Thanks to the Institute of Physics we have been able to run these low and no-cost events with our partners at the University of Bath and Bath Astronomers, which anyone could join. The events have helped us to engage with new audiences, particularly young people, and remove the financial barrier that can stop people from accessing these experiences.” 

Patrizia Ribul, Director of Museums, says: “Our overarching aim with this project was to introduce new audiences to astronomy and specifically to the contemporary relevance of the work of William, Caroline and John Herschel, a key exhibition theme at the Herschel Museum of Astronomy. The Institute of Physics grant enabled us to expand and improve access to our astronomy and planetarium experiences through local partnerships. We hope now to sustain this programme beyond the scope of this initial project and to engage hundreds more people in and around the city with astronomy - and beyond.”

Louise Swan, Head of Public Engagement & Dialogue at the Institute of Physics says: “It’s wonderful to see how the ‘Starseekers’ project has been supporting the aims of the IOP’s Limit Less Campaign. The project has a focus on inclusion, taking place in community spaces and engaging with families from diverse and underserved communities."