Outreach takes off

 

Our outreach project highlighted how molecules were manipulated to allow pilots to control aircraft, how metals and composites were used as materials to build aircraft and how medicines need to be understood in order for pilots and air traffic controllers to be safe in their jobs.

 

The shows were interactive, allowing the public and children to become Scotland’s newest chemists by blowing bubbles in the jet wash of an electric ducted fan jet engine, demonstrating how molecules move in air. This took place under the magnificence of Concorde!

 

Out in the Good Friday sunshine, the shows climaxed by starting up a 1:5 scale F16 jet fighter with a real jet turbine engine. Here we proved how hydrocarbons and their chemical bond enthalpy of formation were responsible for creating thrust. Then, by using a smoke generator similar to that used by the Red Arrows, we were able to prove that air molecules were at the heart of this again by creating plumes of white smoke with a hint of bubble gum odour – triggering molecular recognition of receptors in the nose, causing neurotransmission in the brain.

 

theSKYLAB has outreached to the public at airshows across the UK with audiences of tens of thousands, and has worked with the Red Arrows to inspire school children to become RAF Engineers or technicians. However, we wanted to showcase to the public how it is really chemistry at the heart of aviation, and it is not just engineering that enables this to happen.

We know the public really enjoyed our shows and were able to realise how important chemistry is to society from the feedback we received. One mother of two young children said: "Wow. I can’t believe how much chemistry is involved in me going on holiday. Next time I get on the plane I’ll think very differently."

 

Of course, developing such a set of novel shows required significant time and resources. Linking elements of the periodic table to aviation meant an inevitably large amount of research, as did creating the subsequent show. We also produced complementary A2 posters to increase the engagement impact in the home environment, while a big 1:5 scale jet turbine-powered plane is not cheap to run and maintain! Luckily, the RSC Outreach Fund was able to help support this unique event and make it happen. Without it, our organisation had no means to put the show together.

 

It is really important for our organisation to capitalise on the wonderful partnerships between the RSC and the National Museum of Flight, and to engage with more people. We plan to move this to a larger audience, and so will be looking at ways to sustain the activity at airshows around the UK in the future, as it is such a natural fit. Material for the classroom and family learning could be another legacy of this project – so the sky is certainly not the limit with our new chemistry outreach concept!