EMS Outreach & Communication Award 2016 for the Science Park, Austria

The Outreach & Communication Award 2016 is presented to the Science Park of the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG). The project Sandscape is recognized through an Honourable Mention.

OC Award for Science Park of the Austrian Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics (ZAMG)

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The EMS Outreach & Communication Award 2016 is presented to this project for its success in providing a sophisticated educational experience, its breadth of appeal to a wide target group ranging from small children and students to scholars and interested citizens, and its instructive presentation of the science using interactive tools aimed at increasing interest and awareness for a subject of importance to society. The project is designed as a long-term endeavour, and it is sustainable and already being expanded to additional locations across the country.

 

 

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Photos: Sebastian Philipp, Thomas Wostal

The main aim of the new Science Park of ZAMG is to offer a state-of the-art science communication (hands-on, minds-on) in the areas of weather, climate, environment and geophysics at ZAMG´s head quarter in Vienna and at the Customer Service Offices (Salzburg, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Graz).
The objectives of the concept include

  • To address people of all ages, who visit the ZAMG with guided tours, or during special events;
  • To motivate visitors to participate in ZAMG´s science projects that have a Citizen Science approach (e.g. severe weather, phenology and climate, change, reports of earthquakes, etc.);
  • To encourage to reflect and discuss the connections between science and everyone´s life and the possibilities of interacting;
  • To intertwine the official measurement sites and the route of the guided tours.

The Science Park at the ZAMG head quarters opened on 23 March 2015, World Meteorological Day; the Science Parks in Graz and Salzburg opened this year, also on World Meteorological Day (23 March 2016).
6000 people have visited the Science Park so far, 4000 on giuded tours, 2000 during the Austrian “Night of Science”.

More information on the Science Park:

Award presentation

The Award will be presented during the Awards Session of the EMS Annual Meeting in Trieste on 13 September 2016. Thomas Wostal will present the project during the Media & Communication Session, also on Tuessday, 13 September 2016 at 10:00h in Room Oceania C: Programme of Media Session.

 

Honourable Mention for Sandscape

The Sandscape project receives an Honourable Mention for its innovative, clever, interactive and visually stimulating approach, which combines hands-on demonstrations, entertainment and plenty of fun in order to increase public interest and awareness.

Budding sand sculptors were shown how to fashion elaborate structures from sand and water – creating a landscape with bridges, towers, factories and even stadiums. As they worked they reflected on what makes a healthy city, discussing with the scientists how the natural and built environments influence air quality and circulation and how this impacts our health.

oc2016_metoffice_sandscape_Seite_09Sandscape – links to further information:

 

Felicity Liggins will give a presentation on Sandscape at the Education Session at the EMS Annual Meeting on Thursday, 15 September 2016, at 11:30 in Room Vulcania 2: Programme of Education Session.

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