Sidmouth Science Festival and British Science Festival
The Exeter group took part in the Sidmouth Science Festival in Devon on 5th October 2024. This event started as a weekend festival back in 2012 and has now grown into a 10-day annual autumn celebration of science and education. This year, the Geology Day at the Sidmouth Science festival extended invitations to several organisations to exhibit, including the universities of Southampton and Exeter.
James Scourse was invited to give a talk at a plenary session of the Geology Day. In his talk “Reconstructing climate from the longest-lived animals on Earth”, James introduced Arctica islandica, Glycymeris glycymeris and the sclerochronological research being undertaken within the SEACHANGE project.
Tamara explaining the basic principles of sclerochronology to local enthusiasts.
Alongside James’s talk, Evgeny Genelt-Yanovskiy, Anna Genelt-Yanovskaya and Tamara Trofimova presented an exhibition on Arctica and other clams being studied by the Sclero group. This exhibition is designed to showcase sclerochronology and the discovery of the longest-lived animal known to science. By featuring interactive games and engaging visual materials, the exhibition drew the attention of visitors of all ages at the festival.
Arctica travelling exhibition at Sidmouth Science Festival, 2024
Arctica, Glycymeris, oysters, other shells, polished blocks and acetate peels - research material and elements of Arctica exhibition at Sidmouth Science Festival, 2024
Last year this work was also presented as a part of a larger SEACHANGE exhibition by Dave Reynolds and the team at the British Science Festival in Exeter.
From Vikings to colonialists: How humans shaped the oceans. The SEACHANGE exhibit at Guildhall Shopping Centre during the British Science Festival, Exeter, September 2023.
James Scourse and David Reynolds talking to visitors at the British Science Festival, Exeter, September 2023.
