Examples of SNH interpretation and education projects – Scottish Geology Festival and 'Naming' Scotland's building stones

Colin MacFadyen
Scottish Natural Heritage
Edinburgh

http://www.snh.org.uk/
http://www.scottishgeology.com

'Rock On' Scottish Geology Festival, is the biennial celebration of geology, co-ordinated by Scottish Natural Heritage. It is a partnership effort involving those in Scotland who communicate geology to the public, namely National Museums of Scotland, Hunterian Museum, British Geological Survey, Our Dynamic Earth, Scotland's main geological societies and Scottish Natural Heritage.

When organising 'Rock On' the aim is to make geology, and Earth science in general, available to everyone. The Organising Partnership would like to be able to further the knowledge of those already interested, but more importantly, it's our aspiration to capture the interest of those who have little or no knowledge of the subject. Comprising 100 events organised and run by individual geology enthusiasts, geologists in industry and various groups, societies and museums, 'Rock On' Scottish Geology Festivals are intended to be fun, informal and for all ages. Events included mine and quarry visits, geological rambles, guided walks, lectures and talks, gold and silver panning, rock 'surgeries', and building stones walks.

The now traditional 'Rock On' geo-orientated art work competition for school children, run during the festivals, are designed to stimulate pupil curiosity about landscape. Artwork competitions are now run every year and are used to maintain an annual Scotland-wide geological event in the 'inter-years' between the festivals.

A 'spin-off' of the last two geology Festivals has been the 'Naming' Stone Project. 'Naming' involves engraving building stones with details of their rock type, where they came from and how old they are. At the most basic level, the purpose of 'naming' stones, most recently at the Scottish Parliament, is to raise an awareness among visitors and passers-by, of the natural Scottish stone that is all around them in the built environment and that it has a tale to tell, of Scotland's long and eventful geological past. There is also the aspiration to re-establish the links in the public mind between Scotland's natural and built heritage, a link that has largely been broken in the last century or so, with the rise of imported stone and the increased use of manufactured building materials.

The success of Scottish Geology Festival is measured against the number of participants and the number of event providers willing to provide events in the future. The success of the competitions is gauged on the number of entries. However, the 'true' measure of success of the festivals, the competitions and in particular the 'naming' of building stones, in raising public awareness of Earth science is perhaps impossible to determine. Similarly the three questions – what works, what doesn't work, what could we do better? – are at present unanswerable. An indication of whether or not these events succeed in raising awareness of Earth science and sparks an interest in the subject, could perhaps be obtained by canvassing those people taking up an interest in for example Earth science education or joining a local geological society or RIGS group. A lack of resources precludes such an exercise.

(IPR/66-20C British Geological Survey. © NERC. All rights reserved.)

The following points may be of use for others, planning the organising and running of large scale interpretational and awareness efforts for the general public:

1. In undertaking an event like a nation-wide geology festival, partnership working is key, to enable as wide an experience as possible brought to its organisation. The exercise should be project managed and where possible there should be contracted assistance for event co-ordination and fund raising. Links with related subject areas should be forged to 'hook' people who would not normally be interested in Earth science. The quality of events provided should be ensured and event providers should be canvassed to determine how their event faired. Feedback from participants on what they wish and expect and what they would like in the future should be gleaned, to help direct future events.
2. As regards competitions for school pupils, these must tie in with the curriculum and guidance on taking part should be provided for teachers. Good publicity is key.
3. It is unknown whether 'naming' stones as an interpretation and awareness exercise works and could be improved upon. Advice on this would be appreciated!