TeenTech Events
On Wednesday 16th November 2017, Challenger Society participated in a high profile outreach event run by Teentech www.teentech.com - a charitable, education organisation led by Maggie Philbin (from BBC's Tomorrow's World and Bang goes the Theory fame) - at the University of Surrey's Sports Park in Guildford.
The TeenTech event at Surrey Sports Park enabled more than 200 Year 8 students (13 year-olds, about to make GCSE options) along with ~100 sixth formers to meet with over 30 companies and organisations. The students participated in interactive activities at each exhibit and could tap into expertise from many different professions, putting the subjects they study at school into the context of exciting careers. The students also had the chance to hear inspirational talks and attend a careers Q&A panel.
Representing the Challenger Society, and the wider context of careers in Marine Science and Technology, were Challenger Society council members Louisa Watts (Education & Outreach) and Terry Sloane (Industry Liaison & Technology), helped by Challenger member and researcher Helen Smith (National Oceanography Centre, Southampton). The Challenger team took part in 15 minute back-to-back sessions, meeting students and teachers in groups of 5-6, so allowing good engagement.
The team organised a mixed session, starting with timed challenges naming oceans and seas using an inflatable globe, followed by a quickfire fact-finding mission on what the students thought about the oceans. This led onto an animated discussion around current cutting-edge marine science and technology, including hydrothermal vent exploration, (thanks to fantastic imagery from the University of Southampton), and life aboard a Research Ship.
The students had the chance to ask questions and find out about the day-to-day activities of marine scientists, engineers and also the roles aboard the Research Ships such as the Merchant Navy, (including the all-important chef!) This segued into the critical role of engineering and technology in marine science, and the skills involved. Cutting edge autonomous instruments were demonstrated and the students enjoyed handling a “Deep Trekker” Remotely Operated Vehicle (thanks to Planet Ocean Ltd), learning how to use the hand set and visualisation goggles to try and retrieve samples including manganese nodules and shells.
At the end of the sessions the students declared one thing they had learned from the team: responses were wide and varied including the use of ROVs and engineering in taking measurements and collecting samples, the 400 oC heat of the vents, the depth and pressure of the deep oceans, marine life at the vents and new species fuelled by chemicals and bacteria, that “the oceans aren't as boring as I thought”, and that marine biologists do not need to swim to do their research (from the non-swimming budding marine biologist!). Very positive feedback was also received from one school that voted the Challenger Society exhibit and activity the best!Latest News
Workshop on the contribution of UK Arctic Ocean science to the International Polar Year 32/33
12:00 11th June – 16:00 12th June 2025: NOC Southampton (In-person with online option): Registration deadline 16th May
REGISTER HERE
Pre-meeting questionnaire (open to all)
The purpose of this workshop is for the UK Ocean Science community to discuss and then draft a prospectus document outlining the priority Arctic research questions the community would like to address during the run up to, throughout and beyond the International Polar Year 32/33. Additionally, to identify what unique strengths and technologies the UK has to help fill these knowledge gaps.
The second day of the workshop will be dedicated to writing groups, one for each of the priority research questions identified - from both the pre-meeting questionnaire (HERE) and day one discussion. By the end of the meeting, each group will have produced draft text and sourced supporting figures for the prospectus.
Post meeting, the draft will be opened for comments and suggestions from everyone, regardless of whether they were able to attend the workshop or not. It will then be shared with UK funders (UKRI, FCDO, DSIT, ARIA) and potential international programmes with whom we would like to collaborate (e.g. Arctic 2050, Norway). It will form a basis from which wider integration with terrestrial, atmospheric and cryosphere communities can be built, e.g. at the UK Arctic Science Meeting in September in Northumbria.
To ensure balanced community and ECR representation, and to ensure that the size of the writing groups is efficient and effective, if the number of registrations from individual institutes becomes overwhelming, we may contact individuals or teams and ask that each institute selects a smaller number of individuals to attend in-person. Please wait for confirmation of in-person attendance before finalising travel arrangements.
The workshop will be open to hybrid attendance and contributions on both days.
Challenger Society Council Position Vacancy
The Challenger Society for Marine Science (CSMS) are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to support the next generation of ocean scientists and innovators. CSMS are looking for a new Council member to fill the Student Travel Awards and Stepping Stones Portfolio. The successful applicant will administer the travel and research grants available for Early Career Researchers.
The role involves:
- Receiving applications for the two schemes and responding to applicant inquiries
- Soliciting and compiling input from the rest of the Council for assessing the applications
- Communicating with successful and unsuccessful applicants for the two schemes
- Working with the Honorary Treasurer on allocating funds to successful applicants
- Following up with award winners on their reporting requirements
- Attending Council meetings four times a year (in person or online) and contributing to discussions and decision making for CSMS
The usual term for Council members is three years.
For more information about the CSMS Council, please follow this link: https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/The_Council
For more information about our Early Career Researcher grants and awards, please follow this link:
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Stepping_Stones
and
https://www.challenger-society.org.uk/Travel_awards
If you are interested in applying or have any questions regarding the role, please contact kathen@bas.ac.uk
NOC Association (NOCA) AGM 2025
The 14th AGM of the NOC Association will be held on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th May 2025. This free, on-line event will take place on Zoom, across two consecutive mornings, each starting at 10:00 and ending at 12:30. The agenda will focus on national capability (NC) science, ships, and autonomous vehicles, and how the community can engage. There will be an update on AtlantiS and on the new marine science scoping group. All are warmly welcome to join.
To participate, please complete your registration here.
For enquiries: Jackie Pearson, Secretary to NOCA: jfpea@noc.ac.uk