Outreach
We promote the earth sciences in general, and our own activities, in a variety of ways:
- external talks and lectures
- visitors to BGS
- support for schools
- UK School Seismology Project
- national and regional initiative
- informing the public
- popular publications
External talks and lectures
Our staff are available to give lectures on the Survey's work and on a wide variety of earth science topics to geological societies, community groups and other interested parties, such as the University of the Third Age (U3A) and Probus.
We also run introductory evening classes in geology from time to time in collaboration with organisations such as adult education centres and the Workers' Educational Association.
Visitors to BGS
We offer, by prior arrangement, guided tours of our main sites to educational and public groups. These tours include a summary of the history and current activities of the Survey and are a flexible and informal way of introducing our work to a broad cross-section of the wider public.
Some recent visitors have included groups such as Probus, Rotary, Soroptimists, U3A, adult education classes, professional interest groups and associations, and even sailing clubs!
News of public events, such as the regular Open Day at our Edinburgh office, are posted in our events diary.
Please note: Tours of our Keyworth offices are temporarily suspended during major redevelopment of the site.
We hope to resume tours in late 2011.
Support for schools
The BGS is a member of STEMNET and participates in their STEM Ambassadors scheme as well as the Royal Geographical Society's Geography Ambassadors scheme
Our accredited Ambassadors take the lead role in our events for schools. They are also available to visit schools within reasonable travelling distance of our main offices to provide hands-on activities, give presentations on their scientific research, or talk about careers.
Ambassadors can also act as mentors for schools applying for the Royal Society's Partnership Grants.
News about events for schools are posted in our events diary and in Educational Events.
UK School Seismology Project
Our UK School Seismology Project enables schools to detect signals from large earthquakes happening anywhere in the world.
National and regional initiatives
Where possible we like to support national and regional initiatives such as:
- CREST awards scheme
- Engineering Education Scheme
- National Science and Engineering Week
- Nuffield Bursaries
- Rockwatch (activities for young people)
- Scottish Geology Week
- Visit Our Schools and Colleges
Informing the public
We take very seriously the need to inform the public about our work and to promote the relevance and importance of earth science in everybody's life.
To assist in this aim we publish an Annual Report and a magazine, Earthwise, that are available online.
Popular publications
We have produced a novel range of popular publications under the Earthwise series, aimed at the educational and leisure markets. Written to appeal to the non-specialist (including holiday makers, amateur geologists, schoolchildren and students) these are highly-illustrated and colourful guides and books.
Holiday Geology Guides and maps feature popular Fossil Focus Guides help the budding palaeontologist
Current Earthwise books deal with various subjects — earthquakes, evolution and fossils, groundwater, Yorkshire
Contact
For Outreach: contact David Bailey (Keyworth) or Ted Harris (Edinburgh)
For more about our Popular Publications range: contact the Sales Desk
